Minutes:
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. Northern reported that performance had stabilised but it was still down compared to last year. Planned changes for December 2018 will aim to stabilise the service with May 2019 seeing the introduction of changes originally planned for May 2018. In addition, the Sub-Committee was updated on the industrial action affecting northern services. Strikes have been called for the next two Saturdays and northern planned for industrial action every Saturday until Christmas. the dispute had been submitted to ACAS for arbitration but unfortunately this had proved ineffective. Northern expressed their hope to resolve the dispute but stated that no talks were currently planned.
Following the rail operator update the Sub-Committee had the following questions and comments:
· Questions were raised regarding the car park at Wakefield Kirkgate being too small. Northern explained the difficulty with any expansion to the car park due to lack of available land.
· The Sub-Committee also requested an update on the plans to install toilets at Wakefield Kirkgate. Northern informed the Sub-Committee that the toilets should be in place by December 2019.
· Northern responded to a query regarding the 0657 train from Doncaster to Leeds which is often cancelled or short-formed with only 2 carriages. Northern explained to the Sub-Committee that the train’s pattern was unusual and included time idling at Leeds station. As a result it is one of the services which is short formed to assist other services as it has the least impact. Northern informed the Sub-Committee the service remains a 4 car electric service, but in cases where that is not possible, it will be a 3 car service.
Arriva provided the following update:
· It was noted that Paul Flanagan would attend DCSCs on behalf of Arriva in the future.
· The Sub-Committee was informed that the 163 and 166 services had been struggling to keep to time. Arriva have added an extra bus to the services to ensure that they are more consistent in the future.
· Arriva reported that they had changed the names of their school services.
· Arriva have committed to upgrade all their buses into Leeds to Euro 6 for 2020.
After the bus operator update the Sub-Committee had the follow questions:
· The Sub-Committee queried the 195 service which has seen a variety of older buses on the route. Arriva stated that because of the ongoing work to fleet some buses had to be substituted temporarily.
· It was pointed out that concessionary passes for young people and for people with disabilities were only valid after 9:30am which meant that concession holders couldn’t use their passes to get to school / college. The Sub-Committee heard that the national scheme starts at 9:30am and this is funded by the government. The discretionary spend for the Combined Authority is prioritised for half fares for young people.
Resolved: That the operator updates and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.