Contact: Tony Smale/Alison Hull, ext 6926

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That three contracts for taxi share schemes in Campbell Road, Eastleigh, Northney, Hayling Island and Lovedean, each for a trial period of six months and awarded to Sapphire Cars, Mr P Bradshaw and Cowplain Cars respectively, be funded from the budget for innovations in public transport.

2. Reason

2.1 To provide access to public transport for residents whose bus services have been withdrawn due to poor patronage.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Continuing to support bus services where patronage has fallen below the criteria for support or leave the three areas concerned without any access to public transport.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Taxi Share Schemes

Campbell Road, Eastleigh

7.1 The Campbell Road Scheme has been set up from 10 June 2002 taking residents between Campbell Road and Eastleigh Town Centre to replace bus service 44 which was withdrawn by the Bus Company, Solent Blue Line.

7.2 Campbell Road is a small community surrounded on all sides by rail lines and the only way in or out is via a rail bridge that has no safe walkway. The area consists of Victorian terraced housing with a high proportion of elderly residents.

7.3 In order to set up the scheme as soon as possible after withdrawal of the bus service, it was necessary to undertake an emergency tendering process which involved writing a brief specification and telephoning and/or faxing details to all private-hire operators in the Eastleigh area that are on the County Council's list of operators, then selecting the operator's bid that offered best value, this being from Sapphire Cars. The resulting service is of particular benefit to the elderly and disabled who may have trouble boarding high-floor buses, and who would appreciate the virtually door-to-door service provided by the taxi vehicle.

7.4 The annual cost of the scheme is estimated to be £7,500. This scheme is receiving subsidy support from Eastleigh Borough Council which has agreed to contribute £3,500 maximum. The annual price quoted to the County Council for supporting a reduced bus service on route 44 from June 2002 was £12,750.

7.5 A leaflet publicising the scheme has been sent to all 160 households in Campbell Road. At present 49 residents from 25 households have joined the scheme, of whom 80% are aged over 60. There will be a flat fare of 60 pence per passenger. All journeys must be prebooked; the taxi will run to a timetable and will not run if it is not booked. Destinations within Eastleigh town centre include local doctors' surgeries, the rail station, major supermarkets, the bus station and The Swan shopping centre. More journeys will be provided than were previously available by bus.

8. Northney, Hayling Island

8.1 The Northney Scheme has been set up from 3 June 2002 taking residents from the Northney area to Havant town centre or South Hayling. It replaces the Hayling Hoppa bus service which was withdrawn by the County Council when it failed to meet criteria for support.

8.2 The remaining bus company on Hayling Island, Stagecoach, was approached about diverting some of its services via Northney, but the Company was unwilling to do this. It has proved difficult in the past to introduce low-frequency bus services on Hayling Island using the County Council's bus subsidy budget because any new service would have to run parallel to the frequent Stagecoach service for most of its route. Havant Borough Council was asked to help fund the taxi service, but declined as its budget is currently fully committed.

8.3 Parts of North Hayling are not within walking distance of the main road bus services. For the most part the roads are narrow, windy with poor sightlines and without pavements. The community no longer has a local shop and there is a proportion of local residents who need access to public transport to enable them to visit shops, doctors and other facilities.

8.4 An invitation to tender for the Northney scheme was circulated to around 100 taxi operators in February 2002; Mr P Bradshaw was the only operator to submit a tender. The resulting service represents good value for money and is of particular benefit to the elderly and disabled who may have trouble boarding high-floor buses, and who would appreciate the virtually door-to-door service provided by the taxi vehicle.

8.5 The annual cost of the Northney scheme is estimated to be not more than £11,160. The annual price quoted to the County Council for continuing to run the Hayling Hoppa bus service (primarily contracted to serve Northney) from June 2002 was £32,900.

8.6 A leaflet publicising the scheme has been delivered to 250 households in the Northney area. At present 61 residents from 32 households have joined the scheme, of whom the majority are aged over 60. Fares will vary between £1.00 and £1.50 per trip.

8.7 All journeys must be prebooked; the taxi will run to a timetable and will not run if it is not booked. Destinations within Havant town centre include local doctors' surgeries, the rail and bus stations, Havant Borough Council Offices, the Meridian shopping centre and the local swimming pool. Destinations in South Hayling include shops and leisure facilities. More journeys will be provided than were previously available by bus.

9. Lovedean Taxishare

9.1 The Lovedean scheme has been set up from 10 June 2002 taking residents from Lovedean and the northern part of Milton Road, Cowplain areas to/from Cowplain shops and Waterlooville town centre. This scheme replaces the northern section of bus service 36 which was withdrawn by the County Council when it failed to meet criteria for support. Havant Borough Council was asked to help fund the taxi service, but declined as its budget is currently fully committed.

9.2 Without the taxi scheme, Lovedean would have been cut off from local bus services and facilities. Part of Milton Road was served only by the service 36 bus and many elderly residents would have difficulty walking the extra distance to catch a bus from Wecock Farm.

9.3 The estimated cost for running the scheme for the first six months will be no more than £5,460. The service 36 paralleled high-frequency services for much of its route from Purbrook to Lovedean, and was thus considered to be poor use of public funds. It is anticipated that the taxi scheme will provide a better service for the residents of Lovedean at less cost to the County Council, and therefore represents better value for money.

9.4 A formal invitation to tender for the Lovedean scheme was circulated to around 100 taxi operators in February 2002, but no bids were received. It was then necessary to undertake an emergency tendering process which involved writing a brief specification and telephoning and/or faxing details to all private-hire operators in the Waterlooville/Horndean area that are on the County Council's list of operators, then selecting the operator's bid that offered best value, this being from Cowplain Cars. The resulting service is of particular benefit to the elderly and disabled who may have trouble boarding high-floor buses, and who would appreciate door-to-door service provided by the taxi vehicle.

9.5 Publicity for the scheme is ongoing. Most people who have contacted the County Council have been elderly or disabled. It is likely that most able-bodied people will walk the extra distance to the next nearest bus stop. Fares will vary between 40 pence and £1.20 per trip.

9.6 All journeys must be prebooked; the taxi will run to a timetable and will not run if it is not booked. Destinations within Waterlooville town centre include local doctors' surgeries, the bus station, shopping precinct and local swimming pool. More journeys will be provided than were previously available by bus.

7203/TS/AH