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

1. Summary

1.1 This report introduces a set of passenger transport strategy documents for inclusion in the full Local Transport Plan (LTP), building on the five year and longer term strategy set out in Chapters 4 and 5 of the provisional LTP approved in July 2005.

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 The passenger transport strategies support Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) of the Corporate Strategy by encouraging greater use of non-car modes of travel. It also supports Aims 3 and 4 (Achieving Economic Prosperity and Building Strong and Safe Communities).

3. Background

3.1 Hampshire County Council submitted its provisional second Local Transport Plan (LTP2), covering the period from April 2006 to March 2011, to the Government at the end of July 2005. The County Council is now required to submit a full Local Transport Plan by the end of March 2006. In addition to the overall strategy contained in the provisional LTP2, the full LTP2 will include more detailed information about programmes, schemes and targets.

3.2 The full LTP2 will also include a number of policy annexes. These will explain the County Council's policies on specific topics, such as Smarter Choices, Intelligent Transport Systems and Passenger Transport. There will also be separate annexes on the four area transport strategies. The purpose of these strategy annexes is to establish the County Council's policies and strategies in these areas at a greater level of detail than would be appropriate for the main text of the LTP.

4. Passenger Transport Strategies

4.1 The Passenger Transport strategies flow from the overall vision and objectives of LTP2, namely of a transport strategy that:

"Enhances quality of life and economic prosperity by connecting people, communities, employment, goods, services and amenities".

The main objectives of LTP2 are:

(i) to increase accessibility;

(ii) to promote safety;

(iii) to reduce the impact and effect of congestion;

(iv) to widen travel choice;

(v) to improve air quality;

(vi) to support wide quality of life objectives; and

(vii) to encourage value for money and efficient asset management.

4.2 The core philosophy of the new LTP is that transport problems should be addressed by a process to reduce, manage and invest. Wherever possible, problems should be tackled or reduced at source - for example, tackling congestion by reducing the need for unnecessary journeys. If this approach is not sufficient on its own, transport should be improved by managing the existing networks to make best use of current road and public transport infrastructure. If neither of these approaches fully addresses the problems then investment may additionally be needed to provide new services or infrastructure.

4.3 Two strategies relating to bus services are statutorily required to be included in the LTP:

(i) Bus Strategy; and

(ii) Bus Information Strategy.

Neither were included with the draft LTP in July.

4.4 In order to more fully explain and develop the County Council's policies on passenger transport, the proposed full suite of draft documents will be included as appendices to the LTP:

(i) Bus Strategy;

(ii) Passenger Transport Information Strategy (including bus information);

(iii) Community Transport Strategy;

(iv) Rail Strategy; and

(v) Ferry Strategy.

These five documents together form the Passenger Transport Strategy. Early drafts of each have been placed in the Members' rooms. A copy of the draft Bus Strategy, which is a background paper, is being circulated to Committee members with the agenda.

4.5 The Transport Act 2000 requires that various parties be consulted on the Bus Strategy and Bus Information Strategy and this is now taking place, with a deadline for responses of 31 December 2005.

5. Bus Strategy

5.1 Surveys of residents have shown that their top priority for bus services is improved frequencies. Punctuality and reliability were also rated as priorities for improvement.

5.2 The bus strategy aims to address directly two of the overall objectives of the Local Transport Plan, namely:

(i) to increase accessibility to services; and

(ii) to widen travel choice.

The strategy will also address the issue of rising costs in the bus industry.

5.3 Within these two objectives, key actions are as follows:

(i) continue development of Quality Bus Partnerships (QBPs) on the busiest routes where appraisal shows the best opportunity for passenger growth and to meet the needs of the community;

(ii) undertake comprehensive area network reviews to demonstrate best value for money, ensure the right mix of conventional and innovative services and to best meet local travel needs within available funds;

(iii) develop a computer model to allow the regular review of supported services to ensure value for money;

(iv) develop Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnerships with bus operators;

(v) explore opportunities for a `Service Charter' with bus operators to ensure quality and standard of service;

(vi) explore opportunities to encourage greater competition for tendered services; and

(vii) extend area ticket schemes such as Solent Travelcard and seek to make these multi-modal.

5.4 These measures will also support other overall LTP objectives:

(i) promote safety by encouraging the use of a safer travel mode, including for the school run; and

(ii) help deliver value for money and achieve efficient asset management by reducing the pressure on road capacity and the need for new investment.

5.5 The measures proposed, by encouraging use of public and community-based transport services, will also help to reduce congestion and (ultimately) contribute towards improving air quality, thus indirectly assisting with two further LTP objectives.

5.6 The strategy is designed to arrest the decline in the County Council's Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) ratings for bus patronage (BVPI 102) and improve satisfaction with local bus services (BVPI 104).

5.7 BVPI 102 is the total number of bus passengers boarding in Hampshire. The 2003/04 full year figure was 26,683,000 passenger journeys. The target is to maintain the current level of bus patronage at 2003/04 levels by 2010/11.

5.8 BVPI 104 was last measured, by a MORI poll of 1,000 residents, when the County Council's score was 53%. It will next be measured in 2006/07 and 2009/10. The target is to achieve a satisfaction rating above the national average of 54% in 2006/07.

5.9 The strategy will also contribute towards the LPSA2 target for increased passenger numbers on QBP routes and towards LTP2 targets for increasing public transport use across all modes.

6. Public Transport Information Strategy

6.1 The ready availability of clear, comprehensive and accessible information is vital to promote the use of both conventional public transport and unconventional transport, such as many community transport services.

6.2 This strategy aims to address directly two of the overall objectives of the Local Transport Plan, namely:

(i) to increase accessibility to services; and

(ii) to widen travel choice.

6.3 Within these two objectives, specific actions will be as follows:

(i) increase the availability and accessibility of information, thereby helping to maximise use of individual services;

(ii) provide comprehensive information about connecting services, and promote public transport as an integrated network;

(iii) develop and implement standards for the presentation of information, recognising users with specific needs;

(iv) improve confidence in the public transport network and raise the level of satisfaction with public transport information amongst residents;

(v) improve the delivery of available information, recognising that no one means of delivery will meet the needs of all users; and

(vi) ensure effective promotion of the Traveline telephone enquiry and internet journey-planning facilities.

6.4 Further secondary objectives include:

(i) to clarify the roles of local authorities and transport operators in information provision; and

(ii) to ensure that targeted travel information is an integral part of other initiatives, including QBPs, work place and school travel plans and the promotion of leisure and tourism facilities.

6.5 The strategy is designed to improve the County Council's BVPI ratings for the provision of local transport information (BVPI 103) and satisfaction with local bus services (BVPI 104). It will also contribute towards the LPSA2 target for increased passenger numbers on QBP routes and towards LTP2 targets for increasing public transport use across all modes.

6.6 BVPI 103 is measured through a MORI poll of 1,000 residents. In 2003/04 Hampshire County Council's score was 43%, compared to a national average of 50%. BVPI 103 will next be measured in 2006/07 and 2009/10. The target is to achieve the national average score by 2009/10. BVPI 104 was covered in paragraph 5.8. (Targets are under review to encompass the minimum floors being set under the revised Comprehensive Performance Assessment.)

6.7 The County Council will continue to publish a range of printed public transport information and develop and improve the information available through the Traveline service. Traveline is a national multi-modal telephone enquiry service (0870 608 2608) and website (www.traveline.org.uk) providing impartial advice about public transport services. The County Council will work with its partners in the Hampshire consortium (local authorities and operators) and South West Public Transport Information partners to maintain the quality of the local database and introduce new features, eg fares and SMS text messaging.

6.8 Direct marketing initiatives, such as the successful `Infomotion' direct marketing campaign, will be extended to further areas of the county.

6.9 Real-Time Information systems at bus stops will be expanded to cover more of the major urban areas and it is anticipated that text messaging services will also be introduced.

7. Community and Demand Responsive Transport Strategy

7.1 Whilst conventional bus services meet the needs of many people there is a substantial minority who need a more specialised or individual service, for example people with disabilities or people who live in the more remote rural areas but who still need access to healthcare, shopping and employment.

7.2 The Community and Demand Responsive Transport Strategy sets out how the County Council will work with others to ensure that community and demand responsive transport services are sustained and improved to meet this need.

7.3 This strategy aims to address directly two of the overall objectives of the Local Transport Plan, namely:

(i) to increase accessibility to services; and

(ii) to widen travel choice.

Within these two objectives, specific issues will be addressed as follows:

(i) developing a strong community transport infrastructure which will act as a catalyst for providing, developing and coordinating transport services;

(ii) developing and supporting the operation of transport services including, for example, converting dial-a-ride to Call and Go in rural areas in order to enable more people to benefit from these services;

(iii) exploring the opportunity for developing and extending the `Wheels to work' scheme for young people to other areas of the County; and

(iv) undertaking comprehensive area network reviews to demonstrate best value for money, ensure the right mix of conventional, community and demand responsive transport services to best meet local travel needs within the available funds.

These measures will also support other overall LTP objectives:

(i) helping to deliver value for money and achieve efficient asset management by promoting coordination within the sector and with other sectors to ensure the maximum return on the available resources; and

(ii) promoting safer travel opportunities by working with the community transport and demand responsive transport sectors to ensure that safe, cost effective and quality transport services are provided through the provision of information, advice, training and networking opportunities

7.4 The measures proposed, by encouraging the provision of community and demand responsive transport services, will also help to reduce congestion and (ultimately) contribute towards improving air quality, but more importantly helping the County Council to achieve its accessibility targets.

8. Rail Strategy

8.1 The County Council's role is to work in partnership with the rail industry, lobbying for improved services and promoting new developments, such as the restoration in 2003 of passenger services to Chandler's Ford.

8.2 With respect to the Hampshire rail network the County Council's key objectives are:

(i) to improve accessibility to and security on the rail network;

(ii) to provide an effective alternative to the private car where appropriate;

(iii) to secure better integration with other modes of transport;

(iv) to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders;

(v) to deliver a continual improvement in the quality of service;

(vi) to ensure rail's full potential is utilised in the delivery of sustainable economic growth and regeneration;

(vii) to increase productivity by facilitating long distance travel to Heathrow, Gatwick and the ports by rail;

(viii) to improve interchange and possible connections; and

(ix) to ensure the effects of any proposed change in passenger services do not have an adverse effect on freight capacity, existing or potential.

8.3 Patronage of rail services has grown strongly in recent years, particularly on routes to London, operated in Hampshire under the South West Trains franchise. Hampshire is also served by the Southern, Virgin Cross Country, Wessex Trains and First Great Western Link franchises. The latter two are being merged into the larger Greater Western franchise to be let from April 2006. The South West Trains franchise is to be re-let from February 2007.

8.4 Current issues include the possible provision of a station at Chineham, north of Basingstoke; how rail could serve the potential new Strategic Development Areas north of Fareham and Hedge End; gauge enhancement for taller containers passing through the port of Southampton; and the case for restoration of double track on the Alton line to improve reliability and facilitate freight movements including waste.

8.5 Small amounts of capital funding are made available to encourage improvements at stations, such as better waiting facilities and cycle lockers. At many stations off-peak rail use is deterred by the lack of spare car park capacity after 0900 on Mondays to Fridays, and selective expansion of car parking capacity will be supported at appropriate locations.

9. Ferry Strategy

9.1 The measures outlined in the strategy will contribute in several ways to achieving LTP2 objectives:

(i) to reduce the impact and effect of congestion on the road network;

(ii) to improve accessibility to services; and

(iii) to widen travel choice.

9.2 All three aspects of the overall LTP strategy are addressed:

(i) to reduce the need to travel (by shortening the length of journeys and offering reduced journey times);

(ii) to manage existing resources (by improving the attractiveness of current services and increasing awareness of them); and

(iii) __to invest (in interchange facilities, new vessels and services) where appropriate.

9.3 Ultimately, the aim is for Hampshire's ferry network to offer residents and visitors in coastal areas a reliable and realistic alternative to a longer road journey. Ferry services should be fully integrated into the local passenger transport network.

9.4 Recent experience has shown that ferry usage is susceptible to economic fluctuation and therefore targets for passenger growth specific to ferries may be inappropriate. Nevertheless, the measures in this strategy are intended to increase usage of ferry services.

9.5 Within the above objectives, specific issues that will receive attention are:

(i) Develop long-term funding strategies for services on the current Hayling-Eastney and Hythe-Southampton ferry routes, and secure future investment in new vessels. This will help to ensure existing ferry links are maintained and opportunities identified for them to be enhanced.

(ii) ____Provide improved interchange facilities for all local ferries, and improve the passenger environment throughout the journey. This includes pedestrian and cycle routes, and short-term "kiss & ride" car parking.

(iii) Raise awareness of Hampshire's ferry network and improve the clarity and availability of information about the services in the Passenger Transport Information Strategy.

(iv) ____Provide improved access to ferry services for cyclists and wheelchair users.

(v) ___Develop and implement local signage strategies to increase awareness of all local ferries.

(vi) ___Develop an effective ferry marketing strategy with ferry operators, and identify opportunities to promote river ferries (using links with tourist destinations where applicable).

10. Impact Assessments

10.1 As the intention of the passenger transport strategies is to improve accessibility and widen travel choices, it is expected that they would have a positive impact on most, if not all, Hampshire residents and environments. No proposals are included for subsidising the individual travel needs of particular age or income groups or targeting support to particular geographic areas, but the Community Transport services do provide services which benefit particular groups.

11. Conclusion

11.1 The various strategies have been developed in the light of current pressures and trends. Developments in transport can occur very quickly and the strategies will accordingly be kept under frequent review as living documents.

11.2 The County Council will continue to work in partnership with all stakeholders, particularly the commercial operators, to provide the best possible passenger transport network that can be afforded. The desire is to meet more needs and widen the public transport choices available to the public, subject to the resources available from all partners.

11.3 The three LTP themes of reduce, manage and invest will be applied to ensure that public funds are applied appropriately and consistently to maintain and improve the public transport on offer.

Recommendation

That the Committee supports the key elements of the five passenger transport strategies to be included in the full Local Transport Plan.

679/AB