Contact: Andy Berncastle, ext 6389 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the position on local bus service support this year, describes the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy for the future and provides updates on bus contract retendering, the Lymington-Bournemouth Quality Bus Partnership and enhancements to Community Transport.

2. Local Bus Service Support - Action in 2005/06

2.1 The County Council has set its budget for the support of loss-making bus services for 2005/06. Regrettably, despite continued increases in funding in recent years, this budget remains under pressure due to sharp cost increases in the bus industry. The amount of funding required is not sufficient to meet the costs of all supported local bus services in the county. Consequently, there is a need to match expenditure on bus services to the funding available. This means that financial support for some bus services or parts of services is being withdrawn.

2.2 In order to maximise value for money for the county's taxpayers, the routes which have been nominated for withdrawal are those which are used least or those which cost the most per passenger to support.

3. Passenger Transport Strategy

3.1 The Passenger Transport Strategy will form an integral part of the second Local Transport Plan (LTP), to be submitted to Government in March 2006. The proposed LTP needs to be realistic and so recognise that the car will be the dominant mode of travel for the foreseeable future and that modal shift will only come when congestion increases significantly. Long term proposals to increase bus and rail services as congestion creates a market for them are complemented in the meantime by improvements to the busiest bus routes, often in urban areas.

3.2 A balanced set of measures are proposed to improve transport and so enhance quality of life by:

(i) improving accessibility to services;

(ii) tackling congestion;

(iii) improving transport-related air quality; and

(iv) improving road safety.

Accessibility

3.3 The LTP is also realistic about accessibility. The Government has provided an accessibility auditing database, known as Accession. This aims to model theoretical journey times to key services by a combination of walking and public transport. However initial results must be viewed with caution due to problems with unreliable data and software faults. Some areas that are theoretically inaccessible by public transport may have limited problems due to high levels of car ownership. Equally, some areas may have worse accessibility than suggested by Accession, because of timetabling problems, cost, or lack of information.

3.4 The LTP approach takes a more holistic and realistic approach to accessibility than required by the Government. In particular, the LTP:

(i) considers accessibility to a wider range of services;

(ii) investigates actual rather than theoretical accessibility; and

(iii) considers non-transport measures to improve accessibility, such as bringing services to people.

3.5 The role of scheduled or demand-responsive bus services needs to be carefully judged as these can be very expensive to provide to remote locations or for infrequently used services such as hospital visits.

3.6 The passenger transport strategy is therefore evolving as more information becomes available. It is intended that the results of pilot studies will be available to inform the development of the full LTP.

New Approach to Service Provision

3.7 To best match service provision to passenger needs, work is progressing with consultants on an access and demand model which enables the best mix of conventional, flexible and community-based transport to be delivered. The model is initially being developed as a pilot in the Basingstoke and Alton areas. The model will assist in answering some fundamental questions including:

(i) are travel needs being met;

(ii) is the current allocation of funds correct; and

(iii) does it provide best value for money?

3.8 The model will also enable the assessment of proposals aimed at modal shift and offer solutions to the accessibility problems identified by Accession. It will help optimise service provision and help offset rising cost pressures whilst providing a framework for strategic network development in the future.

4. Re-tendering of Contracts for Subsidised Services

4.1 Existing contracts for subsidised services in the New Forest expire in April 2006 and the opportunity will be taken to review thoroughly the network provided, in consultation with parish councils and transport representatives, the District Council and other bodies.

5. Fordingbridge Area Cango Services

5.1 As envisaged when reported at the March Panel meeting, Cango services were introduced on selected routes around Fordingbridge at the end of August 2005, improving access for residents. This enhancement is funded by the Department for Transport's Rural Bus Challenge Fund.

6. Lymington-New Milton-Bournemouth Quality Bus Corridor

6.1 In June 2005 Wilts & Dorset introduced new low-floor double-deck buses onto these routes, including some open-top vehicles. On 13 September 2005 the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy was asked to approve a £100,000 scheme to improve the infrastructure on the Hampshire section of this route. Improvements will include new high quality bus stop poles with integrated information displays, raised kerbs to assist boarding and bus stop clearways. Strong patronage growth is anticipated and, if approved, works will commence in early 2006.

7. Community Transport Enhancements

7.1 Funding from the Local Transport Plan has been made available to assist with the replacement of two mini-buses operated by Community First New Forest, which provides shopping trips, Dial-a-Ride and other community-based transport. The new mini-buses should be in service by the end of 2005.

8. Impact Assessments

8.1 This report provides a position statement only, therefore an impact assessment, in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, has not been undertaken.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

497/AB