Minutes:
Arriva provided an update to the Sub Committee regarding the upcoming changes to bus services in North Kirklees which aim to improve services and increase patronage. A member of the Sub-Committee submitted alternative proposals to Arriva who will respond direct.
Councillor Bolt presented a petition entitled ‘Save the 253 Bus’. The Sub-Committee was informed that the petition would be considered at the next meeting of the Transport Committee on the 15 March.
A representative from Mirfield Free Grammar attended the meeting to express concerns regarding the impact which the services changes would have on their students. Issues raised included potential lateness due to timetable changes and concerns around longer journeys with safeguarding concerns exacerbated by sixth formers in plain clothes. Arriva and officers from the Combined Authority informed the Sub-Committee that they were investigating this issue and will make the necessary arrangements.
A member noted the lack of pop up sessions in Mirfield given that many of the services changes impacted that area of Kirklees. Arriva informed the Sub-Committee that Mirfield had not originally been selected as it lacked a central point to capture customers but stated that they would be happy to have a pop up session in Mirfield if that was desired. An additional pop session was agreed to at Mirfield Grammar.
The Sub-Committee expressed concerns regarding the adequacy of information and publicity around the upcoming service changes. It was also suggested that service destinations use ‘via’ more to promote destinations.
Councillor Smaje was in attendance and raised concerns about the possibility that some services in North Kirklees contravened the Combined Authority’s policy of a maximum 10 minute walk to a bus stop / shelter. The application of this policy was explained by officers.
A query was raised around the 324 service which is operated by First during the day and Yorkshire Tiger in the evening and that Yorkshire Tiger should accept first tickets.
First presented the Sub-Committee with a handout which provided an update on its services.
Jean Margetts submitted a paper to First and the Combined Authority following her observations and social media survey on the Colne Valley corridor services.
A member criticised the decision to withdraw the last trip of the 138 service at 17:55 which meant that no service was provided at peak times in the evening.
Transpennine reported a marked punctuality improvement of around 20% following their December 2018 timetable changes. Transpennine provided an update on the new Nova 3 and Nova 1 trains each with five carriages which are expected to come into service in Spring and Summer respectively. The Sub-Committee was advised about the changes to cycle reservations on trains, the new facilities at Dewsbury station, including a waiting shelter, toilets and accessibility improvements at Marsden.
The Sub-Committee raised performance issues with the service at Slaithwaite. It was also noted that Transpennine website does not sell the cheapest tickets between Slaithwaite and Manchester. Transpennine informed the Sub-Committee that they would feed this back to their officers.
Northern informed the Sub-Committee that the dispute with RMT had been suspended and that a normal service would be provided on future Saturdays. Northern also noted that there had been an improvement in rail performance and provided an update on the refurbishment of trains and the phasing out of pacers.
In addition to the operator updates the Sub-Committee also discussed the importance of cycling and walking routes. The Sub-Committee was informed that a new cycling and walking group was due to meet on 20 February and issues could be raised there. Tim Lawrence, on behalf of Kirklees Council informed the Sub-Committee that they were looking at walking and cycling improvements and further details would be provided at the next meeting.
Resolved: That the operator updates and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.