Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. The purpose of this paper is to detail the outcome of tenders for renewal of four year bus subsidy contracts in the Andover tendering area (Andover town routes, inter-urban routes between Andover and Basingstoke, Newbury, Salisbury and Winchester and school services).

1.2. It proposes a plan of action to ensure value for money and seeks to enable transport services which give access to employment, education, health, retail and leisure facilities for the widest section of the community, so enhancing well being.

1.3. The proposal responds to rising costs and notified service withdrawals by combining town and country routes and introducing a taxi-share to maintain services for as many areas as possible within affordable budget levels.

2. Contextual information

2.1. Tenders were invited for the existing pattern of services and for alternative service options aimed at ensuring continued service provision within value for money criteria. Some of the tenders invited price options to incorporate housekeeping measures where particular journeys were found to be poorly used.

2.2. Shortly before tenders were issued, Stagecoach announced its intention to withdraw two commercial town services. To avoid loss of service, some routes have been amalgamated and town and country routes combined to maintain service to as many areas as possible. As a result more journeys and extra mileage will be under contract than was the case prior to these tenders.

2.3. As a result of this there will be some reduction in frequency of local journeys within Andover and two sections of route will no longer be served: Icknield Way which currently sees 5.5 passenger trips on 6 journeys and Vigo Road/Eastfield Road with 12 passenger trips on 8 journeys. Most users have alternative services within 400 metres. To avoid users being left without transport, the budget includes £5,000 to meet the cost of a taxi-share facility.

2.4. Services 77 and 87 from Anna Valley and Stockbridge will no longer serve the railway station. This will affect an average of 10.5 passengers over 18 journeys. Other buses will now serve the railway station.

2.5. Nine operators submitted tenders and all tenders were the subject of at least one bid.

3. Finance

3.1. The current tender cost is £759,754 following cost increases of between 2.9% and 5% in May 2009.

3.2. The lowest combination of tender prices is £754,796. To retain the existing service pattern unchanged would cost £807,000 per annum (an increase of 6.2%) which would result in a number of services failing to meet value for money criteria.

3.3. To address specific sections of route which would be left without service, a taxi-share service is proposed at a cost not exceeding £5,000.

4. Performance

4.1. The proposed tenders meet value for money criteria and provide services to the widest area within affordable budget levels.

4.2. Careful redesign of the network, combining town and country routes and introducing a taxi-share ensures that services are provided in a cost-effective manner whilst maximising the availability of transport.

5. Other key issues

5.1. Renewal of these tenders will enable continued provision of services which meet community transport needs.

6. Consultation

6.1. Details of the proposed tenders were circulated to local County Councillors, relevant parish and district councils and comments invited before the tenders were issued. Those consulted were also invited to a meeting of the Test Valley Passenger Transport Forum meeting on 22 June 2009 at which the tenders were discussed prior to issue, and again to the Forum meeting on 16 October 2009 after tenders were returned.

6.2. Comments received mostly expressed the wish that some local provision would be retained even if the number of journeys was reduced. This has been reflected in the actions proposed.

7. Future direction

7.1. The award of these tenders and the taxi-share represent the best means to meet the public transport travel needs of the local community.

8. Recommendation

8.1. That approval be given to award tenders for new four year bus subsidy contracts for the Andover area, at a cost of £754,796 per annum, which, by combining some local town services with inter-urban services, will retain the widest travel opportunities within available budget levels.

8.2. That a budget of £5,000 be agreed for a taxi-share service for specified areas of Andover town.

2209Rpt/1036/SK

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

1.1. The proposals in this report maintain accessibility for the widest section of the community.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

2.1. No impact.

3. Climate Change:

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

· Maintaining journey opportunities by bus 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.