Agenda, decisions and minutes

A two minutes’ silence was observed in memory of transport workers who had lost their lives as a result of the pandemic.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ellis, Councillor Kaushik and Simon Pringle

There were no declaration of interest made at the meeting.

There were no items that required the exemption of the press and public.

Councillor Mulherin requested that the minutes be corrected to record her attendance at the September Transport Committee meeting.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last meeting of the Transport Committee be amended and approved.

Claire Haigh, from Greener Journeys, provided Members with a presentation around the with the current research being undertaken by the organisation:

Members raised the following questions and comments:

·       Road user charges and the opportunity to address both the air quality and decarbonisation agendas.

·       Scope for a devolved approach to road pricing? Opportunities for funding public transport as well.

·       Revenue raised from road pricing as opposed to dwindling revenue from cars. Electric cars become cheaper as technology improves so driving becomes cheaper which could lead to congestion and a shift away form public transport.

·       The possible conflict that reducing the need to travel will have on the viability of public transport. The main shift which was needed was on from private vehicles to public transport and active travel.

·       The need to model for future trends on public transport.

·       The differing approach to greener journeys in towns as opposed to cities, such as demand responsive transport.

·       The importance of planning holistically on a long term and integrated basis so that employment opportunities, education and leisure are all serviceable by public transport

·       The need to amend the way schemes are appraised and the need to quantify wider benefits of schemes so the benefits are more accurately reflected of the decarbonisation agenda.

·       The need to implement better bus infrastructure to make bus more attractive for people and the need for affordability, reliability and a just transition.

·        The benefits of shared transport and mobility as a service as an important part of the solution.

Resolved: The Committee thanked Claire Haigh for the presentation

Resolved:

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

(ii)             That the delegated decision-making arrangement approved by the Committee on 13 March be rescinded.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the impact of the pandemic on transport in the regions as well as proposals for recovery.

The Chair wished to thank the officers working in the transport teams and operators for maintaining levels of service during the pandemic with particular reference teams responsible for school transport.

Bus travel had declined as a result of the second lockdown but it was noted that the restrictions were less prohibitive compared to the Spring and so bus patronage was at between 40% and 50%.

 The delegated decision making arrangement which was approved at the March Transport Committee was rescinded.

Members had the following questions and comments:

·       Whether there was potential for in person meetings of the Transport Committee. It was noted that the main building for committee meetings was closed for renovation and provision would need to be made for the public to view meetings. Hybrid meetings could be explored.

·       The bus patronage figures were recorded at 55% and clarity was needed as to whether this figure refereed to 55% of the figures from the previous year of 55% relative to the period were restrictions were loosened in the summer.

·       That there had been a few instances in which buses had had to leave passengers behind because there were at socially distanced capacity but that these had been carefully monitored and manged.

Resolved:

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

(ii)             That the delegated decision-making arrangement approved by the Committee on 13 March be rescinded.

Resolved:

(i)              That the Fare Deal for Young People as set out in this report be endorsed.

(ii)             That the West Yorkshire Concessionary Travel Scheme be amended as set out in this report and published come into effect from 1 April 2021.

(iii)           That the new fare structure be introduced on the lifting of COVID restrictions with a provisional date of 15 February 2021.

(iv)           That any amendment to this date will be made in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee and notified to members of the Committee.

The Committee considered a report which proposed amendments to the Concessionary Fare Scheme to ensure an affordable and simplified range of fares for under 19s when the Covid restrictions end.

A provisional date of the 15 February 2021 had been set for the new fare structure to be introduced. This date was dependant on the course of the pandemic and national restrictions from government. The Committee would be kept informed of any amendment to the date.

Members had the following questions and comments:

·       Members welcomed the hard work that had gone into the work and emphasised the importance of the scheme for encouraging young people to use the bus.

·       Members noted that fares were capped rather than flat – so if an operator can charge less for any given journey than they will be able to do so.

·       That an M card mobile app was in development which would allow an adult to buy a product for their child so they can pay via the app.

·       Clarity around the introduction of the scheme in February and the recommendation to amend the West Yorkshire Concessionary Travel Scheme in April. The April date was lined up with the end of the financial year for administrative purposes.

Resolved:

(i)              That the Fare Deal for Young People as set out in this report be endorsed.

(ii)             That the West Yorkshire Concessionary Travel Scheme be amended as set out in this report and published come into effect from 1 April 2021.

(iii)           That the new fare structure be introduced on the lifting of COVID restrictions with a provisional date of 15 February 2021.

(iv)           That any amendment to this date will be made in consultation with the Chair of Transport Committee and notified to members of the Committee.

Resolved:

(i)              That the way forward to support the bus service as it recovers from the effects of the COVID emergency be endorsed the work towards the development of an Enhanced Partnership be initiated.

(ii)             That the findings of the West Yorkshire Strategic Bus Network Review and its inclusion as part of the draft Connectivity Plan be endorsed.

Members considered a report that provided an update on the work to develop a new approach to delivering bus services in West Yorkshire.

Members noted that the Combined Authority had asked Government that the funding currently supporting nationally through Covid should be devolved to the Combined Authority to oversee the recovery of bus services locally.

An enhanced partnership was proposed between the Combined Authority and bus operators to help manage the recovery.

Members raised concerns about cooper bridge and Birstall and the absence of a direct route to Leeds. To increase bus patronage after the pandemic it would be vital to have convenient and reliable links between major conurbations.

It was noted that the work to date had been about identifying the broad flows where development could influence bus travel and the work to look at journeys on a route by route basis would follow.

Resolved:

(i)              That the way forward to support the bus service as it recovers from the effects of the COVID emergency be endorsed the work towards the development of an Enhanced Partnership be initiated.

(ii)             That the findings of the West Yorkshire Strategic Bus Network Review and its inclusion as part of the draft Connectivity Plan be endorsed.

Resolved:

(i)              That the draft Rail Vision document be approved.

(ii)             That the draft Rail Vision document to be considered by the Combined Authority for public engagement as part of the wider Connectivity Plan suite of documents be endorsed.

The Committee considered a report that set out the draft rail vision for consideration.

It was noted that the vision was dependent upon investment from Government, in the form of Northern Powerhouse Rail, Transpennine Route Upgrade, the electrification of the Calder Valley Line and HS2.

Concerns around the possible long term impacts of the pandemic on rail usage. The Rail vision document sets out how the railway can better serve the region both in the short term recovery from the pandemic and in the longer term as well.  

Members asked the need to make rail stations pleasant and an attractive passenger experience and whether the Combined Authority had made any representations to Network Rail regarding the TRU and Mirfield station. Members noted that strong representations had been made to Network Rail and the Department for Transport that all stations on the line in West Yorkshire meet a modern standard.

Resolved:

(i)              That the draft Rail Vision document be approved.

(ii)             That the draft Rail Vision document to be considered by the Combined Authority for public engagement as part of the wider Connectivity Plan suite of documents be endorsed.

Resolved:

(i)              That the verbal update from the Transport Committee workshop held on 13 November be noted and the implications for the development of the connectivity plan and pipeline be considered.  

(ii)             That the timescales for publication of the Plan be endorsed

(iii)           That the escalating consideration of the Connectivity Investment Plan to the Combined Authority be endorsed.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the development of a West Yorkshire Transport Connectivity Infrastructure Plan.

Members asked about the proposals to use the Spen Valley Greenway as part of a mass transit corridor. Members noted that the different modes of transport would be integrated and complimentary.

Resolved:

(i)              That the verbal update from the Transport Committee workshop held on 13 November be noted and the implications for the development of the connectivity plan and pipeline be considered.  

(ii)             That the timescales for publication of the Plan be endorsed

(iii)           That the escalating consideration of the Connectivity Investment Plan to the Combined Authority be endorsed.

Resolved:

(i)              That the updates provided in the report be noted.

(ii)             That the updated spend profile for the Smartcard and Information Programmes as set out in this report be approved.

(iii)           That the revision of the Integrated Transport Block Programme to accommodate the upgrading of the Real Time system as set out in this report be approved.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the Combined Authority’s approach to securing developer contributions through the planning process.

Members welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of advice and assessment at an earlier stage in the process to help align planning and land allocation with future bus routes and the wider transport networks.

That the Combined Authority should be a robust consultee to help encourage a modal shift in transport use.

Resolved:

(i)              That the updates provided in the report be noted.

(ii)             That the updated spend profile for the Smartcard and Information Programmes as set out in this report be approved.

(iii)           That the revision of the Integrated Transport Block Programme to accommodate the upgrading of the Real Time system as set out in this report be approved.

Resolved:

(i)       That the updates provided in this report be noted.

(ii)      That the updated spend profile for the Smartcard and Information Programmes as set out in this report be approved

(iii)      That the revision of the Integrated Transport Block Programme to accommodate the upgrading of the Real Time system as set out in this report be approved.

Members considered a report which provided an update on Transport issues across the region.

Members were also provided with an update regarding the latest TfN meetings. It was also noted that TfN had been in contact with the Combined Authority for their bid to government for Integrated Smart Ticketing.

That more information would be brought to a future meeting Northern Powerhouse Rail and proposals for a Bradford Central station.  

The need for clarity around the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the need for NPR to benefit all parts of the region.

Representations had been made to TfN about the vital importance of the TRU for the Leeds City Region

Closure of the bus station travel centres at Dewsbury and Wakefield. Arriva have announced that the travel centres would not re open in their current form and the need for the travel centres to be modified so there is an inquiry provision in both areas.

Resolved:

(i)       That the updates provided in this report be noted.

(ii)      That the updated spend profile for the Smartcard and Information Programmes as set out in this report be approved

(iii)      That the revision of the Integrated Transport Block Programme to accommodate the upgrading of the Real Time system as set out in this report be approved.

Members considered a report which set out the transport related schemes that had been considered by the Investment Committee since the last meeting.

Members discussed the importance of maintenance funding for cycleways and the need to make the point to government regarding funding for cycling infrastructure and a dedicated budget.

The need to share best practice from active travel schemes across the districts.

Members discussed concerns that the narrowing of carriageways to allow for active travel schemes could result in emergency services vehicles being hindered in their duties. It was noted that every scheme that was implement had been sent to the Emergency services to ensure that their comments were considered and that there was no evidence the kinds of measures put forward through the Emergency Active Travel Fund had caused delays to the emergency services.

Resolved: That the report be noted.