Issue - meetings

Resolved:

(i)              That the Committee notes the updates provided in this report.

(ii)             That the Committee endorses the approach to funding bus services during the March to June period as set out in paragraph 2.6

(iii)           That the Committee endorses the approach to Government to ensure that the Combined Authority co-ordinates public sector funding for bus services during the continuation of the COVID -19 emergency.

(iv)           That the delegated decision making arrangement approved by the Committee on 13 March be maintained for use on urgent matters relating to the COVID-19 emergency and reviewed at the next meeting.

The Transport Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the current status of the transport network for Bus and Rail during the period of the COVID 19 emergency.

Members noted that bus and train operators were increasing their services form June onwards, but capacity would be constrained by the social distancing guidance. Travel advice would be advertised throughout the network to promote guidance and social distancing.

Concessionary pass journeys had been relaxed to allow travel before 9:30, however from the beginning of June this would revert to the normal arrangements.

Members raised the following questions and comments:

·       Members queries how would social distancing would work on buses and its affect on the services. Further guidance was awaited from Government in respect of this.

·       That it would be difficult for the bus driver to police social distancing and manage passenger numbers. 

·       A members asked about compensation for annual pass holders. It was noted that the Combined Authoirty had offered to add on the card the equivalent months on the m card that have been lost while.

·       That additoinal cleaing in bus stations and on buses would be vital. Members noted that cleaning regimes had been stepped up in March especially on touchpoints.

·       Members asked how would the Combined Authority publicise the changes to the concessionary pass time change? It would be important to communicate the return to the 9:30 arrangement clearly but officers would speak to bus operators to take a flexible approach in the first instance to reinforce the message over the next 2 weeks.

·       Members discussed Grand Central and the need to write to the Department for Transport to make the cause for parity of funding.

Resolved:

(i)              That the Committee notes the updates provided in this report.

(ii)             That the Committee endorses the approach to funding bus services during the March to June period as set out in paragraph 2.6

(iii)           That the Committee endorses the approach to Government to ensure that the Combined Authority co-ordinates public sector funding for bus services during the continuation of the COVID -19 emergency.

(iv)           That the delegated decision making arrangement approved by the Committee on 13 March be maintained for use on urgent matters relating to the COVID-19 emergency and reviewed at the next meeting.