Agenda item

(Lead Member: Cllr S. Hinchcliffe, Director: Dave Pearson)

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approves the BSIP and agrees to delegate any final changes to the Managing Director in consultation with the Mayor. The BSIP will be submitted to DfT before the deadline of 30th October 2021.

The Combined Authority considered a report providing an overview of the content included in the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and requesting approval for its submission to the Department for Transport.

The Mayor’s pledge to improve the bus service and bring it back under public control was noted, with the BSIP intended as a first step toward this, creating a safe, accessible and fully inclusive bus system. It presented an ambitious picture for bus travel in the region, but this would be vital for the Combined Authority’s decarbonisation and sustainable travel agenda and in achieving the net zero carbon by 2038 target, particularly with 90% of transport emissions currently coming from cars and vans.

Members welcomed the strong ambition demonstrated in the BSIP, particularly regarding the capped fare of £4.50 and the Flexibus and Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) schemes, noting it was an opportunity for the region to significantly improve bus service. However, it was cautioned that bus operators were in the process of cutting some services, and it was important that BSIP not become a means to simply fill the gap left by this.

It was noted that the BSIP funding was short-term, so the Combined Authority would need to ensure it did not find itself in the position of having to withdraw any improvements made due to being unable to find continued funding. In this vein, it would be vital to keep lobbying the Government on the importance of levelling up the region, and on providing funding for other important aspects of improving service such as new buses. Members noted their disappointment on being required to go through multiple rounds of competitive bidding to access this funding, as it took up considerable time and resources.

The free bus pass scheme for elderly and disabled passengers was discussed, with Members questioning whether the permitted hours of use could be extended to help those with early or late shifts. A possible extension was under consideration, but this would need to be funded from the budget rather than in the context of the BSIP. The need to support these passengers making journeys before the cut-off was noted, but a cost/benefit analysis would need to be undertaken to determine the best approach.

Members discussed the connection difficulties faced by more rural communities, which typically required more complex journeys, or where services ended earlier in the day. However, it was noted that urban communities also often faced similarly difficult or infrequent journeys, and that aspects such as poverty, health inequalities, and other things needed to be also considered. Further work was needed on making different modes of transport more interchangeable, and this would hopefully make a positive impact across the region.

Members also raised the following comments and questions:

·       It was questioned why Park and Ride schemes were not mentioned; officers advised that Park and Ride schemes tended to be dealt with in the context of each local council’s parking strategy.

·       The report’s description of a ‘gender-neutral’ bus system was discussed as part of efforts to ensure the connectivity of the bus network were not biased toward any one gender. The possibility of offering a reduction in fares for passengers on maternity or paternity leave was also mentioned, but it was noted that funding would need to be found for this.

·       The condition of school buses, which were cited as often old and had poor emissions compared to newer models, was raised. As these were often the first experience of independent travel for young people, a positive experience here could encourage future use of public travel as opposed to private car usage.

·       The need for interventions to ensure that all residents were able to access vital locations such as healthcare and educational facilities was emphasised.

It was highlighted that comments had been received throughout the week on the exempt appendix; these were not reflected in the version included with the papers distributed for this meeting, but had been taken into due account.

The Chair noted her thanks to Cllr Groves, as well as to the Transport officers involved in producing the BSIP, for their hard work in showcasing the region’s ambitions for its bus service.

Resolved: That the Combined Authority approves the BSIP and agrees to delegate any final changes to the Managing Director in consultation with the Mayor. The BSIP will be submitted to DfT before the deadline of 30th October 2021.