Agenda item

Bus Network Plan and Enhanced Bus Services

 

Resolved: The Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme Appraisal Team, approved that:

 

(i) The Bus Network Plan & Enhanced Bus Services (previously Superbus) scheme proceed through Decision Point 2 (Strategic Outline Case) and work commence on Activity 3 (Outline Business Case).

 

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority costs of up to £29,700,000 be given. The total scheme cost is £29,700,000.

 

(iii) Approval to the development and initial delivery costs of up to £6,228,434 be given, subject to discharge of Condition 3, taking the total approval to £7,998,434. This comprises up to £770,000 for development costs, £3,000,000 for Tranche 1: ‘Network Protection and Quick Win Enhancements and up to £4,228,434 for Enhanced Bus Services (Year 1).

 

(iv) The Combined Authority provide funding to bus operators for Network Protection, Quick Win Enhancements and for Enhanced Bus Services (Year 1), by using existing compensation arrangements, subject to the discharge of Condition 3. The amount of funding allocated to each bus operator be delegated to the Director of Transport Policy and Delivery.

 

(v) The discharge of Condition 3 be delegated to the chair of the Transport Committee, in consultation with portfolio holders.

 

(vi) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

Conditions

 

The following conditions have been set by PAT to gain approval to commence

activity 3 (Outline Business Case):

 

(i) Evidence the key stakeholder engagement carried out as part of identifying and agreeing routes.

 

(ii) Update logic map with clearer and quantified outputs.

 

(iii) Details, including provision and costs, of the services to be protected and enhanced is provided to clarify what the funding allocation is to be used for, for Tranche 1 (Network Protection and Quick Win Enhancements) and Tranche 4 (Enhanced Bus Services).

 

(iv) A robust cost assessment for the different options is undertaken.

 

Combined Services and Assets Database (CoSA) Replacement

 

Resolved: The Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme Appraisal Team, approved that:

 

(i) The Combined Services and Assets Database replacement scheme proceed through decision point 2 to 4 (Business Justification Case) and work commence on activity 5 (Delivery).

 

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s delivery costs of £615,000. The total scheme value is £615,000.

 

(iii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

Leeds City Bikes

 

Resolved: The Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme Appraisal Team, approved that:

 

(i) The Leeds City Bikes scheme proceed through decision point 4 (full business case) and work commence on activity 5 (delivery).

 

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £1,700,000 be given, taking the total approval to £2,000,000. The total scheme cost is £2,861,369.

 

(iii) The Combined Authority enter into an addendum to the existing funding agreement with Leeds City Council for expenditure of up to £2,000,000.

 

(iv) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

Bus Service Improvement Plan - Mayor’s Fares

 

Resolved: The Transport committee, approved:

 

(i) The change request to the BSIP Mayors Fares scheme to increase the funding allocation to continue the scheme until the end of March 2024 be approved.

 

(ii) £11,728,590 of additional funding be allocated from BSIP to the Mayor’s Fares scheme, taking the total scheme approval to £23,621,766.

 

(iii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

Thorpe Park Rail Station

 

Resolved: The Transport Committee approved:

 

(i) The change request for the Thorpe Park Rail Station scheme to:

 

o Indicatively approve the increase of the Combined Authority’s contribution to £20,900,000, an increase of £7,000,000.

 

o The release of additional development funding of £7,000,000 to continue to progress the scheme and carry out early works, bringing the total approved development costs to £12,236,000.

 

o The delivery timescale (decision point 5) be extended to 30 July 2025.

 

(ii) The Combined Authority enter into a Funding Agreement with Network Rail for expenditure up to £7,000,000.

 

(iii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report.

 

TCF Halifax Bus Station

 

Resolved: The Transport Committee approved that:

 

(i) The change request for the Halifax Bus Station scheme to increase the funding approval by £2,800,000 to £20,500,000 and to extend the delivery timescale to October 2023, be approved.

 

(ii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report.

Bus Network Plan and Enhanced Bus Services

 

The Transport Committee considered the scheme which aimed to expand the core network of bus services in West Yorkshire.

 

Combined Services and Assets Database (CoSA) Replacement

 

The Transport Committee considered a scheme to procure and implement a replacement for the Combined Services and Assets (CoSA) system. Officers explained the new system would replace the current outdated system, and facilitate better management of the network. The new system would be fit for purpose, more efficient, and provide better value for money.

 

Members questioned if the scheme would improve the real-time information screens. Officers responded the real-time information system was different, but that it would link in to the CoSA replacement which would be beneficial if implemented.

 

Leeds City Bikes

 

The Transport Committee considered a scheme to introduce an electric bike (e-bikes) share/hire scheme in Leeds city centre and surrounding areas.

 

Officers explained the scheme had been given approval by the Combined Authority at an earlier stage. The e-bikes would be electric, making them more viable for shorter journeys and accessible to people. Approximately 650 e-bikes and 10 tricycles would be available, with 140 docking stations around the city centre, the locations of which was to be confirmed. The full fleet was targeted to be in place by March 2024. The equipment would be owned by Leeds, with the operator receiving 25% of profits to reinvest into the scheme. The operator has multiple similar schemes around the country, giving a high confidence the scheme will be a success.

 

Members suggested that further development of this scheme to other West Yorkshire areas would be beneficial for the region. Members agreed that they have found them useful and it would be a good incentive for members and officers to set a positive example.

 

Members queried the boundaries of the scheme and how users could monitor the battery levels of the e-bike. Members responded that the boundary extends for some distance outside of the city centre, but does not reach the outskirts of Leeds. Users may monitor the battery levels of e-bikes through the companion app in which has been available for use by service users in other authorities.

 

Members questioned if the e-bikes would be allowed in pedestrianised areas, members responded that the cycle restrictions already in place would also apply to the e-bikes. Officers added that training and guidance was accessible within the companion app, and wider cycle training remains available from several avenues.

 

Bus Service Improvement Plan - Mayor’s Fares

 

The Transport Committee considered a scheme to provide a further £11.2 million of funding to continue the Mayor’s Fares scheme through to the end of March 2024, subject to further decisions by government.

 

Thorpe Park Rail Station

 

The Transport Committee considered a scheme to deliver a new rail station at Thorpe Park on the Leeds to York section of the Trans-Pennine railway.

 

Members questioned if there was any section 106 funding contributing towards the scheme, officers clarified that contributions have already been captured in the development of the scheme, however conversations were ongoing about further potential funding.

 

TCF Halifax Bus Station

 

The Transport Committee considered a scheme to redevelop Halifax bus station into a more modern, fit for purpose, and environmentally friendly station through several avenues of improvement. Work on the station began on site in September 2021, with a new completion date set in October 2023. Several factors including inflation had increased the required cost to complete the project, and a variety of barriers were encountered which slowed the progress of the work.

 

Resolved:

 

With respect to Bus Network Plan and Enhanced Bus Services the Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme Appraisal Team, approved that:

 

(i) The Bus Network Plan & Enhanced Bus Services (previously Superbus) scheme proceed through Decision Point 2 (Strategic Outline Case) and work commence on Activity 3 (Outline Business Case).

 

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority costs of up to £29,700,000 be given. The total scheme cost is £29,700,000.

 

(iii) Approval to the development and initial delivery costs of up to £6,228,434 be given, subject to discharge of Condition 3, taking the total approval to £7,998,434. This comprises up to £770,000 for development costs, £3,000,000 for Tranche 1: ‘Network Protection and Quick Win Enhancements and up to £4,228,434 for Enhanced Bus Services (Year 1).

 

(iv) The Combined Authority provide funding to bus operators for Network Protection, Quick Win Enhancements and for Enhanced Bus Services (Year 1), by using existing compensation arrangements, subject to the discharge of Condition 3. The amount of funding allocated to each bus operator be delegated to the Director of Transport Policy and Delivery.

 

(v) The discharge of Condition 3 be delegated to the chair of the Transport Committee, in consultation with portfolio holders.

 

(vi) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

Conditions

 

The following conditions have been set by PAT to gain approval to commence

activity 3 (Outline Business Case):

 

(i) Evidence the key stakeholder engagement carried out as part of identifying and agreeing routes.

 

(ii) Update logic map with clearer and quantified outputs.

 

(iii) Details, including provision and costs, of the services to be protected and enhanced is provided to clarify what the funding allocation is to be used for, for Tranche 1 (Network Protection and Quick Win Enhancements) and Tranche 4 (Enhanced Bus Services).

 

(iv) A robust cost assessment for the different options is undertaken.

 

With resepect to Combined Services and Assets Database (CoSA) Replacement the Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme Appraisal Team, approved that:

 

(i) The Combined Services and Assets Database replacement scheme proceed through decision point 2 to 4 (Business Justification Case) and work commence on activity 5 (Delivery).

 

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s delivery costs of £615,000. The total scheme value is £615,000.

 

(iii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

With respect to Leeds City Bikes the Transport Committee, subject to the conditions set by the Programme Appraisal Team, approved that:

 

(i) The Leeds City Bikes scheme proceed through decision point 4 (full business case) and work commence on activity 5 (delivery).

 

(ii) Approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £1,700,000 be given, taking the total approval to £2,000,000. The total scheme cost is £2,861,369.

 

(iii) The Combined Authority enter into an addendum to the existing funding agreement with Leeds City Council for expenditure of up to £2,000,000.

 

(iv) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

With respect to Bus Service Improvement Plan - Mayor’s Fares, the Transport committee approved:

 

(i) The change request to the BSIP Mayors Fares scheme to increase the funding allocation to continue the scheme until the end of March 2024 be approved.

 

(ii) £11,728,590 of additional funding be allocated from BSIP to the Mayor’s Fares scheme, taking the total scheme approval to £23,621,766.

 

(iii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in this report. This will be subject to the scheme remaining within the tolerances outlined in the submitted report.

 

With respect to Thorpe Park Rail Station the Transport Committee approved:

 

(i) The change request for the Thorpe Park Rail Station scheme to:

 

o Indicatively approve the increase of the Combined Authority’s contribution to £20,900,000, an increase of £7,000,000.

 

o The release of additional development funding of £7,000,000 to continue to progress the scheme and carry out early works, bringing the total approved development costs to £12,236,000.

 

o The delivery timescale (decision point 5) be extended to 30 July 2025.

 

(ii) The Combined Authority enter into a Funding Agreement with Network Rail for expenditure up to £7,000,000.

 

(iii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report.

 

With respect to TCF Halifax Bus Station the Transport Committee approved that:

 

(i) The change request for the Halifax Bus Station scheme to increase the funding approval by £2,800,000 to £20,500,000 and to extend the delivery timescale to October 2023, be approved.

 

(ii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report.