Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 3

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

FARNBOROUGH ROUTE 6 QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 2

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2005

(at 2005

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

82

82

Fees

18

18

100

100

Less developers/

other contributions

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

100

(b) Other

100

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

100

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

15

0.020

Capital charges

10

0.008

TOTAL net expenditure

25

0.018

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

This project will contribute towards the County Council's Local Transport Plan and LPSA2 targets for increasing bus patronage. It will also positively impact on BVPI 103 (local public transport information) and BVPI 104 (satisfaction with local bus services). The County Council, Rushmoor Borough Council and Stagecoach Bus Company share a common objective to encourage greater use of public transport in Hampshire to address traffic congestion problems. The provision of high quality, reliable and accessible bus services can help to address these issues. All parties are working closely together to deliver a high quality public transport system.

Service 6 serves the Kingsmead shopping centre, Farnborough Main Railway Station, West Heath, Mayfield and the Prospect Estate which are situated within the Farnborough area.

The proposed works build on previous works in Phase 1 and complement investment by the bus company.

Department for Transport research has identified a number of barriers to increasing the use of public transport. These areas include poor timetable information, lack of adequate waiting facilities and inadequate access to bus stops. The proposed works will improve all these highlighted areas to generate more passenger journeys.

A survey of users of route 6 has been undertaken to ensure that the proposals directly reflect their needs and aspirations.

It is anticipated that the proposals delivered by the QBP will result in at least a 5% growth in patronage for Service 6. All partners will work together to improve passenger information, bus stop infrastructure, publicity and promotion.

The infrastructure work will be supported by a marketing programme which will target individual households along route 6. Initiatives will be used to encourage these households to use the local buses more frequently.

The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group from Hampshire County Council will administer and supervise the installation of the RTPI equipment.

The civil engineering works on the highway will go out to tender.

Targets and Outcomes

2.10

2.11

2.12

2.13

2.14

2.15

Service 6 has been selected for an upgrade to the bus infrastructure and information because it is a short, self-contained route with a 15 minute frequency, two dedicated vehicles and inadequate existing bus stop infrastructure.

This is the second stage of works on route 6 which was the second service in the Blackwater Valley area to benefit from the umbrella Blackwater Valley Quality Bus Partnership (QBP). This QBP was signed in June 2004 and involves Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Wokingham District Council and bus operators Stagecoach, First and Arriva. The umbrella QBP was one of the first agreements in England to involve three of the major UK bus operators and is being used to guide investment in public transport for the Blackwater Valley region.

This project deals with the improvements to the bus infrastructure and the information displayed at the bus stops. Stagecoach will replace its high- step buses with brand new low-floor midi-buses later in 2005 and will conduct a targeted marketing campaign. At that time the current 15 minute frequency will be increased to every 10 minutes in response to the current and proposed works through the umbrella QBP agreement, and the anticipated growth in passenger numbers.

This project will also benefit from the introduction of Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) at selected stops along this route and two electronic information kiosks which offer travel and general information.

Route 6 Farnborough-Prospect Estate carries around 150,000 passengers a year. To date Hampshire has invested £100,000 in infrastructure and information improvements on this route. Works are scheduled to commence in July 2005. The operator plans to invest in three new low-floor midi-buses at a cost of £200,000 and increase the frequency to 10 minutes in autumn 2005.

The proposed investment of £100,000 is anticipated to build on earlier investment and increase passenger numbers by 5% to 157,000.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The proposals are consistent with the objectives of providing greater travel choice and improved public transport systems. The County Council aims to encourage greater use of public transport and this scheme will help to achieve this.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

This report deals with the roadside infrastructure proposals and the proposal to build on the central county-wide RTPI system for Hampshire.

Specific works will include:

(i) providing approximately 5 new bus shelters;

(ii) installing approximately 7 `at stop' electronic variable message signs along the route at the busiest locations;

(iii) assisting with the implementation of mobile telephone (SMS and WAP) technology to ensure bus information can be received through text messages and via the internet;

(iv) installing two electronic information kiosks; and

(v) a jointly funded marketing campaign using high quality publicity to market the service.

Stagecoach has provided the County Council with a list of the busiest stops on Service 6 for the new bus shelters and the installation of the RTPI display screens.

All scheme details will comply with all relevant United Kingdom/European standards together with Hampshire County Council's standards as appropriate.

A location plan is attached.

Environmental Impact

3.7

The local environment will be aesthetically improved by the removal of life expired bus shelters and the installation of new shelters. The RTPI systems are housed internally so there will be no environmental impact from this new technology.

Land Requirements

3.8

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

3.9

No Statutory Procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

3.10

3.11

As part of the Passenger Transport Group Best Value Review, Miller Associates carried out extensive market research and convened focus groups with Hampshire residents. The results show a very positive response to measures aimed at improving bus services, ie improved information, newer vehicles, better accessibility, new bus shelters and more frequent buses. These important elements will be addressed with this scheme.

In addition, a passenger survey has been carried out on route 6 to ensure that the proposals meet the exact needs and aspirations of users. Passengers were asked to say what improvements they would most like to see to the service. Of 260 questionnaires returned, 101, or 39% favoured new, easy to board buses. In respect of facilities at the bus stop, reliable information was considered most important followed by provision of a shelter.

Local Members' View

3.12

The local Members, Councillors Baulk, Mrs Devereux and Mrs Leversha, have been consulted. Councillor Baulk supports the new bus shelters, however he is concerned about the cost of the RTPI equipment, in particular the potential of vandalism, and does not favour funding towards the marketing campaign. Councillors Mrs Devereux and Mrs Leversha support the proposals.

Impact Assessments

3.13

3.14

3.15

These measures have been assessed to ensure that they improve equal access to services and employment and support the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy: 1 Maximising Life Opportunities; 3 Achieving Economic Prosperity; 4 Building Strong and Safe Communities; and 5 Improving Services.

Stagecoach will be introducing low-floor easy-access buses on route 6 in 2005. The infrastructure improvements funded by the County Council will provide level access to these buses at bus stops which will provide easier entry for the mobility-impaired. All electronic variable message signs will have a key fob audio speech facility for the visually impaired to make audio announcements of next bus departures.

The QBP Steering Group will provide a vehicle for engaging with all members of the community and undertaking regular consultation to ensure that the bus service offered best reflects their needs and aspirations and is marketed in a way that reaches all interested parties.

Maintenance Implications

3.16

3.17

3.18

3.19

ITS equipment is designed to operate over a period of 10 to 15 years with only routine maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. Beyond this period equipment may require upgrades or replacement. In addition it will consume electricity and require connection to an appropriate telecommunication system, incurring data transmission charges and rental.

The County Council has entered into an agreement with Orange to secure GPRS communications for the RTPI system at a competitive rate of £2 per SIM card (each sign) per month. Data transmission charges are estimated to be in the region of £25 per sign per month.

The County Council has entered into an operating agreement for Journey Planning Kiosks with the system provider. An annual cost of approximately £4,000 per kiosk covers all licences, support, maintenance and electricity, and communications costs.

Maintenance of new bus shelters, that are not maintained free of charge by an advertising company, will be undertaken by Rushmoor Borough Council in line with existing arrangements.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.20

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

3.21

The measures proposed support the County Council's policies to make best use of the existing transport network and help to ensure a sustainable transport facility for the future by making the bus an attractive travel option.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Taking no action.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Project File

Environment Department

Room 228