Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the position on local bus service support this year and describes the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy for the future. It also provides an update on the Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) for Services 21 and 23, between Havant and Portsmouth, and explains the position on Hayling Ferry subsidy. Earlier agenda items covered the A3 QBP and Havant Bus Station.

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 This means that financial support for some bus services or parts of services is being withdrawn.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.

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?

(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. Havant Routes 21 & 23 Quality Bus Partnership

4.1 The latest stage in the upgrade of bus stops on the QBP routes will involve the installation of 16 new bus shelters. This work is currently out to tender. These and a number of existing shelters are to be equipped with Real Time Passenger Information displays. The scheme is funded from the Local Transport Plan (£100,000).

5. Hayling Ferry

5.1 The County Council has provided a subsidy for winter operation of the Hayling Ferry service since 1981, to cover the period of the year when the service is not commercially viable. Payments are split between Hampshire County Council (54%) and Portsmouth City Council (46%). In recent years a joint total subsidy of £19,200 per year has been paid to the ferry operator, Edwards & Co (now reconstituted as Hayling Ferry Limited).

5.2 A contract has existed between Langstone Harbour Board and Edwards & Co in respect of the licence to use the pontoon at Hayling Island, to cover maintenance and repairs. The existing contract had been due to expire on 1 August 2005. Langstone Harbour Board agreed to a short-term extension of the existing contract until negotiations were concluded, and has now confirmed its intention to phase in over three years an increase in the licence fee. This will increase the overall annual subsidy (payable jointly by the two authorities) to £24,140 immediately, rising to £32,460 from September 2007. With around 70,000 passengers annually, this means the subsidy per passenger journey will rise from 27p to 46p over the three years.

5.3 Further requests for the support of this service have been received and are being considered. In the light of this and other pressures on ferries in Hampshire, a review of ferry policy is currently being undertaken.

5.4 The County Council has, in recent years, supported an off-peak bus service, in summer school holidays only, from Hayling Island to the ferry, if funding has been available each year. This was not the case in 2005 and the bus service therefore did not operate. However, Havant Borough Council supports a year-round shared taxi service from Hayling Island to the ferry and promote travel with the `All-in-One' ticket, covering the shared taxi journey, the ferry crossing and bus travel in Portsmouth.

6. Impact Assessments

6.1 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

648/AB