Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

Decision Maker:

Executive Member-Environment

Date of Decision:

6 October 2009

Decision Title:

Bus Service C1/C2 Eastleigh - retendering

Decision Reference:

976

Report From:

Director of Environment

Contact name:

Stephen Warren

Tel:

01962 846926

Email:

[email protected]

1. Executive Summary

1.1. The purpose of this paper is to consider the award of a contract for C1/C2 bus services in Eastleigh. The proposed contract will replace a short term contract awarded on an emergency basis to ensure continuity of service. The interim contract value was below the EU threshold and allowed the contract to be awarded in a shorter timescale. The proposed contract, which follows local consultation, is due to run until May 2011 and so has undergone the full EU tender process due to higher value involved.

1.2. This paper sets out the background to the current situation and considers the impact on the Public Transport budget and future service levels.

2. Contextual information

2.1. In February 2009 Bluestar gave notice to withdraw from the C1/C2 bus contract following losses incurred owing to continuing rises in operating costs. An emergency contract was awarded to Black Velvet Travel for the interim period.

2.2. Service C1/C2 operates between Eastleigh, Velmore, Fryern Hill, Hiltingbury, Chandler's Ford, Valley Park, Asda, Barton Peveril College and Thornden School. All journeys are operated under contract to Hampshire County Council, with a significant contribution from Eastleigh Borough Council.

2.3. There is a need to maintain a vital bus service for local residents.

3. Finance

3.1. Service C1/C2 is currently supported at a cost of £227,500 per annum. The cost to Hampshire County Council is currently £128,000 and to Eastleigh Borough Council £99,500 per annum.

3.2. Eastleigh Borough Council has agreed to provide an annual contribution of £96,000 to maintain the services through a revised timetable. The reduction in funding cost to Eastleigh is due to a change in the Sunday operation which the Borough Council funds. The proposed award would provide an improved bus service at an overall contract cost of £224,000 per annum. The cost to Hampshire County Council would be unchanged at £128,000 which is affordable within the current budget.

4. Performance

4.1. The current contract carries approximately 227,446 annual passenger journeys at a cost to Hampshire of £128,000 which equates to a subsidy of £0.56 per passenger journey.

5. Other key issues

5.1. Service C1/C2 provides vital transport links for local schoolchildren, residents, students and workers.

6. Future direction

6.1. The proposed action to award the tender on the basis of the alternative timetable from Black Velvet Travel reflects the consultation with local residents, provides additional journeys for the same budget as now, is the lowest cost tender option and has the support of Eastleigh Borough Council which is jointly funding the service.

7. Recommendation

7.1. That an 18 months' contract be awarded to Black Velvet Travel for bus service C1/C2 operating between Eastleigh and Thornden School.

2145Rpt/976/SW

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

Hampshire safer and more secure for all:

no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Maximising well-being:

yes

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Enhancing our quality of place:

no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

 

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

 

Document

Location

None

  

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

1.1. Not applicable

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

2.1. Not applicable

3. Climate Change:

a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

    · There is an increase in journey opportunities by bus which will result in fewer journeys being made by private car.

b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

    · This recommendation will have a significant positive effect on sustainable transport provision.