Contact: Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 A Bus Quality Partnership is being finalised involving the County Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Stagecoach in Hampshire. A range of initiatives is being developed, initially focusing on Line 1, within the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST).

2. Introduction

2.1 A `Review of Passenger Transport in the Basingstoke Area' was completed by consultants in August 2001. This was commissioned by the Borough Council in response to concerns about the quality of local bus services and the desire to improve the quality of service substantially to meet the objectives of BEST.

2.2 A substantial number of recommendations for service and infrastructure improvements were made by the consultants, reported to Members on 14 November 2001. It was also suggested that the public, businesses, community organisations and others work with the Borough and County Councils alongside operators to identify the most appropriate improvements. Accordingly, a Basingstoke Area Passenger Transport Forum has been established to help focus on the needs of local people and to relate suggestions to practical measures that can be implemented to improve the local public transport network.

2.3 A Quality Partnership has been in place for some time involving the County Council and Stagecoach (South West Trains and Stagecoach in Hampshire (formerly Hampshire Bus)), the only known example of a Quality Partnership combining both rail and bus interests. The Bus Quality Partnership (BQP) for Basingstoke builds on the overall dialogue and aims to promote specific improvements in the BEST area.

2.4 Initially, the BQP will focus on Line 1 between Hatch Warren, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke town centre, Kingsclere Road/Houndmills industrial area, North Hampshire Hospital, the inter-urban area including Sherborne St John and Pamber End, Tadley and Heath End/Baughurst. This route includes residential and major employment areas while extending beyond the Basingstoke urban area. It is also considered that there is considerable potential to increase the number of users and, in operational terms, the route uses dedicated vehicles and any improvements can be undertaken and their impact assessed independently of other routes.

3. The Bus Quality Partnership Structure

3.1 There are four key elements emerging from the consultants' study which will be taken forward in the BQP:

(i) passenger transport improvement strategy;

(ii) passenger transport information strategy (subject to the County Information Strategy);

(iii) passenger transport interchange strategy; and

(iv) fares and ticketing strategy.

3.2 Public participation is a key element of the BQP process. The Passenger Transport Area Forum brings together many interests, including local authorities, bus and rail operators, taxi operators, businesses, students, disabled people, parish councils, community transport providers and others. Management of public relations will be an important consideration as the BQP develops.

3.3 A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the aims of the Area Forum. The outcomes of these will help inform the BQP initiatives. Initially the Working Groups will comprise a range of interest groups to consider the following:

(i) fares, ticketing and information (subject to the County Information Strategy);

(ii) infrastructure and access;

(iii) rural buses; and

(iv) community transport (subject to the outcome of the County Council's Community Transport Strategy).

3.4 Each Working Group will be required to produce practical suggestions for improvements. These ideas will then be considered as part of the BQP. Each group has been selected to represent a range of interests but specifically includes individuals who use the local bus network.

4. Proposed Initiatives

4.1 A number of initiatives are proposed. It is expected that in combination they will stimulate a significant improvement to both user numbers and revenue, to generate both a virtuous circle of improvement and the step change required to meet BEST objectives. Proposals include:

Review of current operations

(i) identify current levels of use by location and time;

(ii) identify user attitudes;

(iii) establish current journey times/reliability;

(iv) establish working relationship with Business Travel Forum members; and

(v) identify fare structures.

Review of current infrastructure and operations

(i) review infrastructure; and

(ii) audit information availability.

Future operations

(i) consider vehicle requirements;

(ii) identify potential demand;

(iii) determine information requirements;

(iv) consider impact on service of proposed development areas;

(v) driver training; and

(vi) marketing.

Fare initiatives

(i) ticketing and payment methods.

Future infrastructure

(i) waiting arrangements;

(ii) recommended priority measures;

(iii) real-time information at selected locations;

(iv) whole route improvements; and

(v) maintenance requirements.

Monitoring

(i) determine monitoring programme;

(ii) report progress;

(iii) scheme/corridor appraisal;

(iv) input to LTP Annual Progress Report; and

(v) attitudinal surveys.

Public relations/participation

(i) determine public relations strategy.

4.2 The Borough Council has allocated substantial funding over three years to support public transport initiatives, including £300,000 in 2002/03, £610,000 in 2003/04 and £710,000 in 2003/04. This can be used for studies, surveys, revenue support or other aspects of the BQP. The County Council has identified a heading in the investment programme (see agenda item 2) for the BQP of £100,000 per year, excluding funding from the A30 south-west corridor and A340 corridor allocations.

4.3 The BQP aims to link improvements to Line 1 with other initiatives in the BEST area, including workplace travel plans, rural transport, social inclusion and integration with other services and modes. The BEST objectives of improving travel choice, reducing the need to travel by car and improving safety and personal security are addressed by the BQP.

5. Implementation and Targets

5.1 Each of the initiatives indicated above will be pursued within a defined timescale, involving the most relevant resource. Progress with implementation and the impact of each will be reported to the Panel in due course. A programme of monitoring will be devised to assess the impact of measures introduced.

5.2 The Hampshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 and the Road Traffic Reduction Act Report 2001 set out targets for BEST. Specifically, a target to increase public transport use by 25% by 2020 has been set. The BQP approach will make a significant contribution to meeting this target. It is also intended to retain traffic levels at current levels, with growth in travel demand being met by alternative modes. Attitude surveys and regular monitoring will help ensure that improvements are achieved in line with these targets.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The Basingstoke Area BQP is working to improve the quality and efficiency of passenger transport in the borough, initially focusing on the core Line 1 route. Following the recommendations in the consultants' study, a comprehensive range of initiatives has been identified and is being pursued. Appropriate funding and other resources will be used as necessary to ensure that the BEST objectives are met.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the proposed initiatives to be included in the Bus Quality Partnership.

6970/NR