Archived decisions

Contact: Tony Smale, ext 6926 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the attached Project Appraisal for Low-Floor Accessible Vehicles to be used on bus services in the Hamble/Hound area, at an estimated cost of £100,000, be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 5 (Improving services) of the Corporate Strategy by improving opportunities to access services for all members of the community, particularly the elderly and disabled. It will facilitate travel by disabled people and render bus Service 16 more easily accessible by the elderly and those with shopping trolleys, push chairs, etc. It supports Aim 2 (Stewardship of the environment) by promoting sustainability by encouraging the use of public transport. The decision supports Aim 1 (Maximising life opportunities) by opening employment opportunities and generally improving the economic prosperity of businesses along the route. Aim 4 (Building strong and safe communities) is supported by improving links with centres for health, learning and commerce. Aim 3 (Achieving economic prosperity) is supported by the opportunity to unlock match funding from:

(i) First Hampshire and Dorset, the operator of bus Service 16 between Hamble and Southampton; and

(ii) Eastleigh Borough Council.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Tendering the grant competitively to all operators of local bus services in the Hamble/Hound area was considered and rejected as impracticable.

3.2 There are only two such operators in the area, First and Solent Blue Line. First's Service 16 to/from Southampton is the more popular service in the area. Solent Blue Line's service 9A to/from Eastleigh attracts only around one-third the number of passengers boarding/alighting in Hamble or Hound, and in any case service 9A has benefited from low-floor accessible vehicles following the County Council's placing of new subsidy contracts with the company in May 2003.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member 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

9113Decn/TS