Open session for members of the public to ask a question, raise a concern or provide feedback.
Minutes:
The Chair explained that the item had been moved to first on the agenda to encourage more members of the public to attend and ask questions.
He invited questions from any public present, who were not the members of the sub-committee.
Bus Operator sales
Bruce Barnes of the ‘680 Bus Lobby Group’ was present and stated he was concerned regarding the threat to Bradford bus services from the sales of Arriva and First Bus. He felt there could be chaos while services were at threat and wanted to know what Metro was doing about it. He also requested that passengers are consulted as to any plans and was concerned that confidentiality may mean that the public are not fully informed.
The Chair invited First Bus to respond. They gave assurances that services will not be withdrawn due to the sales of the companies. There was no information as yet whether services would be sold in full or in part.
It was noted that the Combined Authority had submitted an Expression of Wish to maybe take over services in Yorkshire. They had written to central government requesting guidance as the Transport Act bars Local Government from taking on services at present.
Arriva informed the public that their parent company Deutsche Bahn had merely expressed a wish to sell. No definitive method had been communicated as yet and they reiterated that they would continue services.
The Combined Authority said their main priority was continuing services and that they were exploring the possibilities around the First Bus sale but not Arriva currently.
The Chair confirmed that if the public had any further questions to email himself, Andrew Bradley (WYCA) or WYCA Governance Services.
Bradford Cycle Campaign
It was requested that bus drivers be made aware of the advanced stop space used by cyclists as often they were ignoring this, thus putting them at risk. First Bus agreed they would send a message out to all drivers via the ticket machines and put posters up in depots. Both bus companies confirmed this would be addressed in driver training.
The Chair explained that the item had been moved to first on the agenda to encourage more members of the public to attend and ask questions.
He invited questions from any public present, who were not the members of the sub-committee.
Bus Operator sales
Bruce Barnes of the ‘680 Bus Lobby Group’ was present and stated he was concerned regarding the threat to Bradford bus services from the sales of Arriva and First Bus. He felt there could be chaos while services were at threat and wanted to know what Metro was doing about it. He also requested that passengers are consulted as to any plans and was concerned that confidentiality may mean that the public are not fully informed.
The Chair invited First Bus to respond. They gave assurances that services will not be withdrawn due to the sales of the companies. There was no information as yet whether services would be sold in full or in part.
It was noted that the Combined Authority had submitted an Expression of Wish to maybe take over services in Yorkshire. They had written to central government requesting guidance as the Transport Act bars Local Government from taking on services at present.
Arriva informed the public that their parent company Deutsche Bahn had merely expressed a wish to sell. No definitive method had been communicated as yet and they reiterated that they would continue services.
The Combined Authority said their main priority was continuing services and that they were exploring the possibilities around the First Bus sale but not Arriva currently.
The Chair confirmed that if the public had any further questions to email himself, Andrew Bradley (WYCA) or WYCA Governance Services.
Bradford Cycle Campaign
It was requested that bus drivers be made aware of the advanced stop space used by cyclists as often they were ignoring this, thus putting them at risk. First Bus agreed they would send a message out to all drivers via the ticket machines and put posters up in depots. Both bus companies confirmed this would be addressed in driver training.