Minutes:
Operators were invited to give their updates to the sub-committee.
Northern
· It was confirmed that there were now 9 new trains on the Bradford route and it has been the first time diesels have been ran on this side of the Pennines, their speed and capacity has been very good. Just need to improve on their reliability and for staff to get used to faults that may come up and how to fix them – like any new train.
Two issues have already been resolved in relation to the driver’s door sensor and fast windscreen wipers.
Drivers have received a full 9 days training to operate the new trains and conductors are also being trained.
· Performance has been better than last year but still not where they want it to be. Some places have strong performance and Northern continue to work with other operators and Network Rail.
· The December timetable is going to deliver faster journey times between Leeds – Bradford- Manchester. There are also Network Rail improvement which will help facilitate this.
There is also going to be a new Halifax – Hull service, which will call at Thorpe Park at such point as the station opens.
· Pacer Trains will continue to be used into the New Year, which is unfortunate. They will be on the lighter used routes mainly Sheffield and Huddersfield and Bradford for the first few weeks of 2020.
They will also be used on early / late services as other trains have to go to Newcastle for their maintenance. All Pacer trains will be gone by May 2020.
A member asked how accessibility issues will be addressed in relation to the pacers and Northern confirmed that a ramp can be deployed for wheelchair users or their use of a taxi would continue to be reimbursed.
· Boxing Day timetable will run as normal from 8am to 6pm. Trains will run to Bradford Forster Square, Ilkley and Skipton.
· The Department of Transport scheme for stations is currently running and bids have been submitted by Northern with the Combined Authority. The outcome of which should be known by Christmas / New Year 2020.
Members raised the following issues:
· Bradford Low Moor has had a poor service today – the 13.21 was cancelled.
· Are ticket offices going to be closed?
Northern confirmed that there are no plans to do this. All that was previously said by them was that increasingly more people are buying electronically.
· Bradford Forster Square tickets are not being accepted by the barrier at Gargrove.
This will be raised at the station by Northern as it may be a simple coding issue for the barrier to accept them.
· Are stations going to be modernised? Keighley been the same for 50 years. Can there be toilets and unlocked waiting rooms?
Northern confirmed that the waiting rooms should be open. They are aware that Network Rail are repairing the fabric of the station but not seen any plans for toilets there. This will be asked of Northern Rail.
Arriva
· It was confirmed that there are no planned service changes.
· New vehicles are now on the Wakefield 110 route.
· This will benefit the 268 as buses from the 110 will be re-deployed on to this route giving it better buses.
· New ticketing machines are enabling better communication to drivers.
· The Wakefield Road and Tong Street improvements will be positive for the 425/ 427 /283.
Transdev
· Some minor timetable changes (from 27 October) and the Dale Bus ends for winter.
· Keighley town centre has congestion due to roadworks. This has meant there have had to be short notice cancellations to keep to the timetable.
· Boxing Day services will be operating.
Members raised the following:
· How is the airport service running?
Transdev said it was very positive with increasing passengers.
· Can the Boxing Day services please link up with buses to get to hospitals.
Transdev will look into this.
· The connection times between the 662 and 283 are unreliable. Often the 7.15am and 8.15am are late resulting in the member missing the connecting bus to work. This has been an ongoing issue.
Transdev agreed to investigate this.
First Bradford
· Boxing Day service will be the same as the past few years.
· There are fare increases from the 26 October 2019. 20-30p a day depending on the ticket type. However there will be no change to the under 19 year old fares.
· Planned roadworks being carried out by Northern Grid will create delays in the Challow Grange / Ingleby Road areas.
· Recruitment and training is still ongoing to keep staff levels up.
· Very positive working with other operators and the Combined Authority in the Bus Alliance partnership.
Members raised the following:
· Some buses don’t turn up. For example the 576 and X6.
First said they are aware of staffing issues affecting the 576 but that it is mainly congestion impacting the service which is ran by First Halifax. The X6 was affected by motorway traffic.
· Posters at the Interchange are out of date.
The Combined Authority agreed to look at this.
· The new A650 audio visual screens were very good.
· The new slippery seats on some buses are difficult for children to keep sat safely, especially when a bus brakes suddenly.
· Some members of the public still fail to move off the side seats for other who have a greater need.
Operators confirmed they encourage drivers to help resolve such issues and those relating to wheelchairs/ pushchairs but legally they cannot make someone move.
Recent Cycling Event (UCI) – major issues for both operators and members of the public. The following issues were raised by all:
· Operators are still waiting for a de-brief from Bradford Council due to the issues.
· The operators were only talked to about the event 3-5 weeks before.
· Road were closed they didn’t know about.
· Some roads were closed and there was no need for them to be.
· Operators were unable to communicate to their customers.
· Cars parked on the road resulted in buses being unable to turn.
· Customers had to guess which bus to get on and where it may be going.
· Some passengers had been put on the wrong buses by Interchange staff.
In summary - It appeared that there was not enough investment in the planning of the event. Compared to Tour de Yorkshire which was 6-8 months planning in which operators were involved. The public were not even made aware of the impact.
The Chair asked if anyone had an information as to why a debrief had not happened yet. Operators believed one had taken place with the Bradford Emergency Planning Officer but they had not been invited.
The Chair and Cllr Engels said they would investigate this as the Operators should have been involved.
Resolved: The operators’ updates were noted.