Agenda item

Cabinet had received and agreed a report on 29 June, 2021, on the ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy that required Local Authorities to enter into Enhanced Partnerships with bus operators.  Actions included agreeing a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by 31 October 2021 to secure long term funding for vital bus services.  An Enhanced Partnership with bus operators would have to be entered into by no later than 31 March 2022.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) be approved, as set out in Appendix 1, to support long term funding for bus services.

(2)               That the submission of the BSIP to the Department of Transport by the 31 October 2021 deadline, as well as publishing it on the Council’s website, be agreed.

(3)               That authority be delegated to the Director for Transport Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to make minor amendments to the plan if required for accuracy or updating.

(4)               That the Council’s agreed commitment to entering an Enhanced Partnership with bus operators by no later than 31 March 2022 be noted, as the mechanism for prioritising and delivering measures in the BSIP.

Cabinet had received and agreed a report on 29 June, 2021, on the ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy that required Local Authorities to enter into Enhanced Partnerships with bus operators.  Actions included agreeing a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by 31 October 2021 to secure long term funding for vital bus services.  An Enhanced Partnership with bus operators would have to be entered into by no later than 31 March 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Transport introduced a report and explained that the National Bus Strategy identified two alternative approaches to delivering bus service improvements: franchising and enhanced partnerships.  Buckinghamshire Council had opted to enter into an Enhanced Partnership with Bus Operators in June 2021 as the franchising option was not considered appropriate.

An Enhanced Partnership was a statutory arrangement under the 2017 Bus Services Act which could specify, for example, bus priority, timetables and multi-operator ticketing,  This was a more formal extension of the joint working that had existed in Buckinghamshire for a number of years, which had led to a number of successful initiatives including introduction of the High Wycombe ‘SMART zone’ multi-operator ticketing scheme and coordinated timetables on two bus corridors via Bus Qualifying Agreements.

The BSIP represented the Bus Strategy for Buckinghamshire and was required by the DfT to include a number of objective, priorities and targets for the whole of the LTA’s entire bus service network.  To benefit from new funding, LTAs would be expected to implement ambitious bus priority schemes and draw up ambitious BSIPs.  Statutory traffic management guidance would be updated to make promoting bus reliability an integral part of highway authorities’ Network Management Duty.  However, it should be recognised that the guidance of BSIP was focused on more densely populated urban areas.

The Buckinghamshire BSIP had been developed in line with and followed the structure set out in DfT guidance and had included engaging with bus operators.  The Council had met individually with every bus operator in Buckinghamshire to identify their challenges, opportunities and priorities to improve the future of bus services in Buckinghamshire.   Buckinghamshire had a strong network of urban and inter-urban bus services that were operated by a range of large and smaller bus operators including Arriva; Carousel; First Bus; Langston and Tasker; Red Group (Red Eagle, Redline, Red Rose); Stagecoach East; Star Travel; Thames Valley; Transport for London, and Z & S Travel.

A Task and Finish group had been established, chaired by the Cabinet Member for Transport, and was comprised of elected Members representing the broad geographical area of the county. The group had helped to monitor progress of the development of the BSIP and identified member priorities for improving bus services in Buckinghamshire.  A total of five meetings had taken place to date.

Further information was provided on the “Your Voice” survey that had run between August and 3 September, aimed at all members of the public, including bus users.  One of the DfT’s requirements for the BSIP was to include priorities from members of the public as part of the overall scheme prioritisation process. To address this, a survey had been published through “your Voice” between August and 3 September 2021.  This had been advertised online and at key bus stops, as well as communicated through Buckinghamshire’s Community Board network.

During discussion the following points were noted:-

·                     The main aim of the Strategy was to put the transport user first therefore making use of the bus easier and more attractive, to encourage and expand the local network which will play a part in the climate change strategy. On the primary network they were looking at Euro 6 buses and for the remaining network Euro 5 buses which would improve the emission situation. Capital investment was required with improvements to the network and bus stations and bus stops. The tables in the appendices were not an exhaustive list and would be reviewed annually. There would be a closer relationship with bus operators. There was a £3billion fund nationally.

·                     In terms of impacts in the first year of the Strategy, the primary concern was to get the patronage back on the buses particularly after the pandemic, which currently stood at 70% and to make buses an attractive, reliable alternative to private vehicles. Bus passenger numbers fell with an increased amount of friction in the journey e.g. ticketing. The Cabinet Member for Transport referred to the successful Smart zone scheme in High Wycombe where users could tap in and out of different bus networks. In the first year it would be good to expand this scheme and connect to other areas such as Amersham and Chesham to afford those benefits to a greater number of people. The Council needed to undertake improvements with bus operators on training, cleanliness, improving bus stops and vehicles and start feasibility work to identify bus priority measures.

·                     Buckinghamshire was a county of very different geography with urban conurbations and rural areas. In terms of rural areas, the plan had to reflect all user groups. In the first year it was important to strengthen and enhance the core network that already existed but it was important that rural areas connected better to towns so the bus service was a viable alternative to private transport. In Wycombe and Aylesbury the Council was undertaking demand responsive trials so people could come into town on a non-existent route so the route was dynamic.  This had come about as a result of the Rural Mobility Fund bid and was a pilot. Community buses also played an important part in rural areas and would be involved in the enhanced partnership.

·                     The Service Area had a very restricted timescale to submit the bid so it was difficult to undertake a full consultation. A Member Task and Finish Group had been set up which involved Members across the County from urban and rural areas helping to shape the Strategy. Discussions had also been held with bus operators. Table 15 in the report showed the top five priority themes. A number of aspects had been pulled out which required greater focus such as significant improvements to the network, remove friction for a bus/ rail ticket and enhance multi-mode transport . A public survey had been  undertaken which included understanding what prevented people using the bus. Written feedback had been obtained from Community Boards as there had been no August meetings whilst the survey was being carried out.

·                     Once this strategy had been agreed a formal enhanced partnership agreement needed to be developed once the Council had received information from Government about whether they had been successful  in their bid at the end of March 2022.

·                     The quality and location of bus stations played a factor on whether residents took the bus. Aylesbury and Buckingham were included in that list. Winslow had a purpose built station which should link in with Network Rail and bus operators facilities. In terms of the new East- West Rail Station there were conversations underway in term of  additional rail connectivity into Aylesbury. With bus stations acting as transport hubs the Council were trialling e scooter schemes and e bikes as an option (Aylesbury Vale Parkway). It was important to make the journey as seamless as possible and improve reliability and service. Linking buses to al l modes of transport and a refresh of stations would make it more appealing to users. Enhancement to Aylesbury bus station should be undertaken in the first year.

·                     Air quality - with Euro 6 and 5 buses being the aspiration there would be incremental steps to get these on the network and to improve the fleet incrementally removing older buses. Increasing bus journeys rather than the private car and making buses more environmentally friendly would help improve air quality.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) be approved, as set out in Appendix 1, to support long term funding for bus services.

(2)               That the submission of the BSIP to the Department of Transport by the 31 October 2021 deadline, as well as publishing it on the Council’s website, be agreed.

(3)               That authority be delegated to the Director for Transport Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to make minor amendments to the plan if required for accuracy or updating.

(4)               That the Council’s agreed commitment to entering an Enhanced Partnership with bus operators by no later than 31 March 2022 be noted, as the mechanism for prioritising and delivering measures in the BSIP.