Agenda item

The Transport Committee received an update on the current performance of the transport network in West Yorkshire, including an overview of the Combined Authority’s activity and responses.

Patronage levels on the bus service were at roughly 70-75% of what would be expected for this time of year pre-pandemic; the bus service was still therefore operating within the emergency funding envelope that had been previously set. Rail services were also slowly recovering with similar patronage levels, though this recovery was exhibited significantly more in weekend and leisure travel as opposed to office-based commuting journeys. Members questioned whether this indicated that the idea of a traditional ‘peak time’ was no longer as significant as it had been pre-pandemic, with more consistent services throughout the day being a bigger priority going forward. However, it was noted that the current situation was still in a state of transition, with developments around the pandemic still underway, and it was difficult to predict how these patterns would stabilise.

The driver shortage discussed at the previous meeting of the Committee was still a live issue and was impacting on the delivery of bus services in the region with increased rates of cancellations, and services were operating under reduced timetables in some cases. Shortages remained at similar levels as was reported at the previous meeting, although operators were taking measures to alleviate the problem.

It was highlighted that the driver shortage was affecting not just the bus service but also other driving jobs including the HGV and private hire sectors, and the Mayor had held a round table event in October with representatives of these industries, as well as bus operators, on how to best cooperate to address the issue. £32.5 million of support nationally for roadside facilities and driver welfare had also been recently announced by the Government, and more information on this would be passed on to Members when available, though it was questioned whether this would be a sufficient amount to fully address the issue.

Members also noted that the working conditions for drivers could be inflexible and challenging, with a low-availability of part-time hours. The age of the workforce was relatively high, and there would be a need for these industries to attract new drivers; Members suggested contacting the Government for further information on their plans to support resiliency in these industries.

Some previously-reported issues surrounding licensing and testing were easing, and this was expected to have a positive effect going forward. Members questioned if anything further could be done to improve delays to licenses being issued. Officers advised that main source of the issue appeared to be a backlog that had built up throughout the pandemic, but they had been advised that the DVLA and the Vehicle Standards Agency were speeding up processes to work through this. A letter would be sent to Government asking for more information on these delays.

It was noted that the wearing of masks on public transport was quite low since restrictions had been lifted, and Members questioned whether further communications could be used around this to improve compliance and thereby increase a sense of safety amongst those who may still be reluctant to use public transportation, though it was noted that operators had no powers to enforce this. However, it was also raised the point that such messaging had the potential of perpetuating a feeling of fear, and that wearing a mask was another obstacle that may deter people from using public transport. This tied into a wider discussion that may need to be explored on the effects of the pandemic in terms of people’s mental health and feelings of fear, but it was noted that the public expectation regarding public transportation may change going forward, with a higher degree of importance faced on cleanliness, and less tolerance of overcrowding.

Members also raised the following comments and questions:

·       Concerns were raised over the possibility of standards for tests or training for HGV drivers being reduced as a response to the shortage, and the effect this could have on road safety.

·       It was noted that a fall in the use of HGVs could lead to increased road usage and impact on congestion and air quality.

·       The potential long-term impact of the driver shortage on people’s engagement with public transportation was discussed, with it being noted that early negative experiences could turn people away and weaken efforts toward achieving a modal shift away from private car usage.

·       The need to examine sites for potential consolidation centres to work in combination with freight was raised.

·       The success of the Free Bus Sunday initiative was noted, and it was suggested that extending this could be a useful way of encouraging people to try public transportation and to increase their confidence in its safety and cleanliness. The MCard app and its ability to gift tickets was also praised.

·       The need to ensure that Active Travel Network counters were being monitored and maintained was raised, and it was requested that a report be provided on this at a future meeting. It was suggested this be further explored in the Active Travel Working Group.

Councillor Firth and Councillor Hayden joined the meeting during discussion of this item.

Resolved: That the Transport Committee notes the updates on the current performance of the public transport network provided in the submitted report.