Decision details

Covid 19 Bus Operator Payments

Decision Maker: Director, Transport Operations & Passenger Experience

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

A package of financial support to the bus sector affected by Covid 19 has been introduced by Department for Transport. Included in this is a request that Local Transport Authorities continue to make payments for concessionary fares and tendered bus services at the level that was being paid before the emergency despite the downturn in patronage and the reduction in service levels (re DfT letter 26 March 2020).
This decision is to observe this request and make payments subject to conditions which:
• Safeguard a network of bus services during the emergency.
• Provide for open book analysis of the costs and revenues of the bus sector in West Yorkshire during the emergency.

Decision:

In respect of concessionary fares and tendered service, to approve a package of payments to bus operators at the level which was being paid before the downturn in patronage resulting from the Covid-19 epidemic and subject to conditions which:

 

·       safeguard a network of bus services during the emergency;

·       provide for open book analysis of the costs and revenues of the bus sector in West Yorkshire during the emergency.

 

Reasons for the decision:

Following Government advice on Covid-19 “lockdown”, bus services were reduced to a minimal key worker bus service and patronage is approximately 10% of the normal level.  This has led to concerns about the viability of bus services and capacity of the bus sector in the recovery period. Following an approach to Local Transport Authorities by the Secretary of State in respect of the sudden reduction in passenger revenues resulting in the viability of bus services, this decision is required in order to protect the bus network by continuing to pay operators concessions and contract payments at the level being paid before the downturn in patronage and the reduction in service levels.

 

Publication date: 03/07/2020

Date of decision: 06/04/2020

Accompanying Documents: