Agenda and minutes

Venue: THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTELY AND WILL BE LIVESTREAMED HERE:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCazjNSGpqZZT41Vibn2ZK9A/live

Items
No. Item

1.

Open Forum

Open session for members of the public to ask a question, raise a concern or provide feedback.

Minutes:

Members questioned when the toilets would be completed at Wakefield Kirkgate and re-instatement of late trains which had been suspended temporarily. from Leeds to Pontefract as it was difficult to return to Pontefract from Leeds late at night.

 

In response the representative from Northern said that work has now restarted on the toilets at Kirkgate station but there have been challenges including work access to the site.  This was a Grand Central Project, and the build was in conjunction with the Department of Transport. 

 

Re-instatement of the late trains from Leeds to Pontefract had not been confirmed so was unable to give a further update at this time.

 

2.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence received from John Churms

3.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Transport Committee members only.

Minutes:

There were no items of disclosable Pecuniary Interest declared at the meeting.

4.

Exempt Information - Possible exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

There were no items on the Agenda which required the exemption of the press and public.

5.

Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021 pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Please note that these minutes are presented for information and cannot be

approved during this informal meeting.

Minutes:

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021 be noted.

6.

Notes of the informal joint DCSC meeting held on 26 August 2021 pdf icon PDF 185 KB

For information

Minutes:

The notes of the informal joint DCSC held on 26 August 2021 were presented to the Committee for information and the contents noted.

7.

Introductions

Minutes:

Councillor Alan Garbutt has been appointed as Chair of the Committee and he introduced himself and welcomed Public Representatives, Councillors and officers to the Committee.

8.

Chair's Update and Transport Review

Minutes:

There were no comments on the Transport Review or other updates from the Chair

9.

Information Report pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received an update on transport schemes within the Wakefield area.

10.

Operator Updates

Minutes:

Arriva

 

Arriva reported that passenger numbers were continuing to slowly improve. The punctuality of many services had been affected by roadworks. Recruitment was noted as being a challenge due to the national driver shortage, and it was felt that this was being exacerbated by the Government’s focus on the impact of this issue on the HGV industry rather than on the bus services.

 

Northern

 

Northern performance measures were currently generally strong. Passenger levels were at approximately 75% of what would be expected at this time of year pre-pandemic. However, it was noted that this recovery had primarily been in leisure travel, such as to the coast or to retail centres, with the traditional commute remaining low at close to 35% of pre-pandemic levels due to the shift toward working at home. Initiatives were in place to aim to raise patronage for the commute, such as a new flexible season ticket, though take-up had been limited. More general initiatives encouraging travel were also being used, such as a recent £1 ticket flash sale.

 

It was noted that although the driver shortages described by bus operators were not affecting the rail industry, pipeline issues had been caused by a period where training was unable to take place due to social distancing restrictions. However, work to address this such as the implementation of training bubbles had lessened the impact and these restrictions were now lifted, and it was expected that the availability of trained drivers would have fully caught up to standard levels by the end of Spring 2022.

 

Members further questioned a lack of consultation between Crigglestone Parish Council and Arriva.  In response the representative from Arriva said they are happy to engage and will make contact with the Parish Council to ensure they receive communications in future.  

 

Members felt It was essential that buses are reinstated as soon as possible to outlying areas of Wakefield in order to maintain connectivity.

 

Resolved: That the Operators be thanked for their updates

11.

Workshop Session - Travel and Transport post pandemic pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Minutes:

Members received a presentation on the impact of the pandemic on travel and transport in the region, and on plans for recovery and on the long-term impact on travel behaviours, and were asked to consider three key questions:

 

·       How has Covid changed your travel habits and perception of safety?

 

·       What needs to happen to enable transport to support an economically sustainable recovery?

 

·       How do we ensure transport options enable the widest range of people to be included in society?

 

Resolved: That the reportbe noted.