Open session for members of the public to ask a question, raise a concern or provide feedback.
Minutes:
Members of the sub-committee in attendance were given the opportunity to raise any issues which were not covered on the agenda, and following comments were made
It was felt that the 15-minute frequency of the ‘turn up and go’ services should be reduced to every 10 minutes. Officers clarified that the 15-minute frequency is the minimum expected, with a higher frequency where possible subject to demand.
Members noted there appeared to be no full integrated network review, in favour of ad-hoc improvements. Officers informed members of the sub-committee that there is currently a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) bid being made to government due to seek the funding for improvements to the bus network across West Yorkshire. Enhanced partnerships are also being developed with key bus operators to further develop the network beyond the aims set out by the BSIP, and the potential for bus franchising was also being investigated. The last network review was undertaken approximately 18 months ago and highlighted areas of expansion over the next decade.
It was felt by some Members that the progress towards the zero emissions target seemed slow at the present time, and that targets should be more ambitious than Euro 6 engines. Officers advised that there is currently a funding application for zero-emission buses which should allow for some electrification of the bus network, which is supported by all operators. There are infrastructure challenges presented by electrification, and debate continued about the long-term future of electric versus hydrogen power for public transport vehicles. Electric buses do already operate within Leeds, and the intention was to obtain more for the entire region as funding allows, though for the time being it can be more cost-effective to retrofit existing buses with lower-emission engines.
Concerns were raised regarding the cancellation of some lower frequency services in suburban and rural areas which can lead to long waiting times for the next service. It was noted that the WYCA and First Bus websites seemed in some places to provide conflicting information regarding bus cancellations, and it was questioned if there was an available record of cancellations to determine if there is a pattern of cancellations and how any issues can be addressed. Officers responded that any drops in service are reported by the operator to the Combined Authority and are monitored within each district to ensure service standards are maintained.
Officers explained that there is a national driver shortage across the transport industry which has accounted for some drops in service frequencies. The shortage includes approximately 250 bus drivers across West Yorkshire, equating to roughly 7% of roles. Operators are working to tackle the issue by balancing available drivers with the demand for service and altering the frequencies of some services, however there is no immediate solution in what remains to be a challenging landscape. It can be difficult to call in drivers at short notice to cover sickness or absences, and it takes time for any driver to become familiar with a new route. Staffing levels have been under capacity due to several factors including drivers taking early retirement or leaving for other roles in the HGV industry. There is a backlog of recruited drivers who are not yet able to begin work due to delays obtaining licenses, training and tests, and even though the long turnaround times have somewhat eased from several months to several weeks, it could also take some months before the positive impact is felt.
The availability of £1 fares after 7pm was welcomed to increase service use during off-peak times, however there were concerns about how well the initiative has been publicised. Officers confirmed that the £1 fare promotion has initially been a success, with passenger levels increasing in the evening when compared with pre-pandemic levels. The challenge is to maintain the levels for longer periods, and work will be done to advertise the service as appropriate.