Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Shelley, ext 6984 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 four Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) schemes.

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

2.1 The County Council set its budget for the support of subsidised bus services for 2005/06 at the same level as 2004/05, adjusted for inflation. 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 available is not sufficient to meet the costs of all supported local bus services in the county. This means that financial support for some bus services or parts of services is being withdrawn.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.

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. It will assist in answering some fundamental questions including:

(i) Are travel needs being met?

(ii) Is the current allocation of funds correct?

(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 off-set rising cost pressures whilst providing a framework for strategic network development in the future.

4. Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership

4.1 The latest stage in the £200,000 project to upgrade bus stops on the QBP routes is substantially complete. The scheme is funded from the Local Transport Plan (£165,000) and External Funding (£35,000).

4.2 A capital grant of £100,000 from external funding, together with a grant of £50,000 from Eastleigh Borough Council, will enable the introduction of four new low-floor buses on First Service 16 between Hamble and Southampton.

4.3 In September 2004 Solent Blue Line relaunched the Southampton-Chandler's Ford-Winchester bus service as Bluestar 1. This saw the introduction of a 15 minute daytime frequency, increased evening and Sunday services and new late night buses operated by refurbished, rebranded vehicles. On 26 July 2005 the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management approved a £350,000 scheme, funded from the Local Transport Plan, for information and infrastructure improvements on the 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 works are planned to commence in early 2006.

4.4 The A27 Botley Road, Hedge End Bus Access scheme is being developed by Hampshire County Council with Eastleigh Borough Council and Southampton City Council to re-open Botley Road for buses and cycles. This has the aim of offering shorter journey times for bus passengers between Hedge End and Southampton. The scheme is funded from the Local Transport Plan (£315,000) and External Funding (£100,000). It is anticipated that works will start in early Spring 2006.

5. Impact Assessments

5.1 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 this report be noted.

575/PS