Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from public representatives Richard Potter and Zaheer Khalil.

Transport Committee members only.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared by members at the meeting.

There were no items requiring the exclusion of the press and public.

In respect of minute 5, Air Quality Strategy, the chair advised that this would be on the agenda at the next Transport Committee on 9 November 2018.

In respect of minute 6, Tracker Survey, the Sub-Committee was informed that deaf people were not specifically included in the survey but were assured that the Combined Authority recognised the importance of their involvement and they would be included in the future.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 April be approved.

The Sub-Committee was provided with a presentation which outlined spending on services funded through the transport levy. The presentation addressed spending priorities as a result of a reduction of £1 million in the transport levy for 2019/20.

The services funded through the levy include:

·         Support for mobility / tendered bus services which receives £18.7 million in funding.

·         Concessionary travel for young people with a current budget of £10 million.

·         The provision of travel information, with a budget of £1.2m plus £0.8 million contribution form transport operators.

·         Support to multi modal ticketing, £1m spend offset by £0.8m income.

·         Bus stations, stops, shelters and associated facilities with a total cost of £7.5m offset by £4 million income.

The Sub-Committee was asked to consider spending priorities across services funded through the transport levy. It was emphasised that this was a way for the Combined Authority to get an initial feeling as to the Sub-Committee’s views and that there would be further consultation in the future. Members were given 8 votes each to allocate across the 5 services. The results of the consultation was as follows:

·         14 for support for mobility / tendered bus services.

·         12 for concessionary travel for young people.

·         13 for the provision of travel information.

·         14 for bus stations, stops, shelters and associated facilities.

·         3 for the support of multi-modal ticketing.

Resolved: That the presentation and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.

Yorkshire Tiger reported no updates to the Sub-Committee.

First provided the following update to the Sub-Committee:

·         First have started a disability awareness training programme.

·         It was reported that 35% of transactions were contactless – the aim remains 80% in 5 years. 

·         First are retro-fitting buses to Euro 6 standard.

·         First have conducted a price review with some fares increasing as a result. It was noted that some fares remained unchanged and that any increase in fares reflected increased costs.

·         First reported minor changes to the 576 service to improve reliability.

·         First addressed the disruption of services around Mixenden with diversions in place. 

The Sub-Committee had the following questions and comments following the bus operator updates:

·         It was questioned whether adequate notice was given to customers about the Mixenden diversions. First reassured the Sub-Committee that posters were put up around Mixenden, on buses, and also sent to the Combined Authority.

·         The Sub-Committee expressed concern over the standard of buses in Calderdale and were under the impression that new buses go to Leeds while older units are re-located to Calderdale. The Sub-Committee was advised that investment is prioritised in areas which offered the biggest benefit for the operator.

·         A member asked about the provision of direct services to Calderdale hospital from the Calder Valley. It was suggested that the services from Burnley and from Rochdale could be diverted via the hospital to address the difficulties faced by people in the upper Calder Valley in getting to the hospital. First suggested that they would be willing to work with parties to create the best network for passengers.

Northern updated the Sub-Committee on the impact of the timetable changes introduced in May 2018. Northern were told in January that the new timetable would no longer be possible due to a delay in the electrification of rail around Bolton. Planned changes for December 2018 will aim to stabilise the service, with May 2019 seeing the introduction of the timetable originally planned for May 2018. Northern also updated the Sub-Committee regarding the ongoing industrial dispute. The Sub-Committee heard that RMT had called strikes for the next 3 Saturdays and that no talks were currently planned between either side after the dispute was submitted to ACAS, with no resolution.

Following the rail operator update the Sub-Committee made the following comments:

·         A question was raised regarding Mytholmroyd station. The Sub-Committee was advised that work on the station car park is planned to commence in Spring 2019.

·         A member expressed their anger and disappointment about the disruption caused by the May 2018 timetable. Northern apologised for the severe disruption following the timetable changes in May and acknowledged that the services had been diabolical.

Resolved: That the operator updates and the Sub-Committees’ feedback be noted.

An information report was presented updating the Sub-Committee on matters relating to the Calderdale district.

The Sub-Committee made the following questions and comments:

·         In respect of the Transforming Cities Fund, which includes plans to upgrade public transport connections to eight rail stations The Sub-Committee queried if any of the 8 stations listed were in Calderdale and was were informed that Halifax station was included.

·         The Sub-Committee raised concerns regarding the timetable for the implementation of the Department for Transport’s Inclusive Transport Strategy, which aims to make travel fully accessible and inclusive for disabled passengers by 2030. 

·         The Sub-Committee raised concerns regarding 2.43, the Halifax Town Centre Scheme, that there would be no improvement in air quality as a result of the works on the A629. It was noted that the green wall at Salterhebble was a scheme attracting national attention.

Resolved: That the information report and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.

The following points were raised and discussed during the open forum:

·         TLC services in Hebden Bridge were a source of concern, with reports that services were generally unreliable and that they may be cut in the future. Concerns were also raised about the hilltop services. Officers agreed to investigate.

·         The Sub-Committee asked for an update regarding the real time information system. It was stated that the system is currently being tested and will be rolled out at a later date.