Archived decisions

Item 9

Report to the

    Transport for South Hampshire Joint Committee

Date: 22 January 2010

Report by: Frank Baxter, Southampton City Council

tel: 02380 832079 email: [email protected]

Subject: A South Hampshire Smartcard

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out the reasons for a sub regional smartcard scheme and seeks approval to lobby the Regional Transport Board to consider funding it.

1.2 The following decision is sought:

      That approval be given for the submission of a bid to the Regional Transport Board for funding to deliver a sub regional smartcard scheme including the authority to seek the bringing forward of the Access to Southampton Regional Funding Allocation if necessary.

2. Reason

2.1 A sub regional smartcards scheme offers a number of considerable benefits to the Joint Committee members, District Councils and public transport operators in South Hampshire as well as users of public transport.

2.2 The London Oyster Card is one example of a highly successful smartcard scheme. Key outcomes of such a scheme would meet challenges and policy aspirations in Local Area Agreements, Community Strategies, Local Transport Plans carbon reduction strategies, active travel, social exclusion and a range of other local strategies.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not bidding.

3.2 All concessionary fares authorities are required to introduce a smartcard scheme for concessionary fares holders. All concessionary fares authorities (District, Unitary and County) are at slightly different time frames for implementation and may proceed on this basis in an uncoordinated way. This has potential to lead to a situation where there are many local schemes with varying criteria and applicability and where technological compatibility between areas or public transport operators is lost. It is not considered desirable to pursue this option for delivery of smartcards although failure to be success in a bid to deliver a sub regional scheme could potentially bring this situation about.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: ................................. Date: .................................

Councillor M J Kendal - Chairman

Transport for South Hampshire Joint Committee

2280Decn/FB