Agenda item

To consider a report on the Bus Service Improvement Plan Refresh & 2024/25 Delivery Programme.

The committee considered a report which outlined the Cheshire East Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) refresh. The new BSIP built on the previous plan prepared in 2021 and reflected the recovery of the bus market post-pandemic. The plan updated the vision, delivery programme, ambition to 2030, targets and performance monitoring framework.

The BCIP draft report had been submitted to the DfT on the 12 June 2024.Any amendments required by the committee would be incorporated into the document and the final version published at the end of June 2024. The indicative funding allocation for 2024/25 was £3.455m.

Officers reported that the majority of the funding was revenue and was intended to be used to increase bus services within the borough such as reintroducing a Sunday service. There were plans to look at changes to tickets such as a reduced fare for 16–19-year-olds which was due to go live in September, and multi operator tickets in certain areas.

The committee welcomed the report, asked questions, and made comments in respect of

-       Whether other groups such as parish/town councils and community groups would be able to feed their views into the consultation.

-       if there was a plan to introduce food and drink provision at bus stations

-       would real-time information displays include bus stops as well as bus stations.

-       Would advertising at bus shelters help generate more income or would that go into the general pot.

-       when there were traffic delays or roadworks were bus operators having that information relayed to them in a timely manner

-       how the website would be reviewed with regards to those people with learning disabilities

-       whether an inhouse application could be developed for live GPS tracking as used by some of the larger operators.

In response, officers reported that:

-       Engagement with all parties on further route changes would form part of the planning process once next year’s funding had been agreed.

-       There would need to be conversations with Town Councils and traders as having food and drink provision, whilst handy for passengers, could lead to competition and a requirement for extra cleansing etc.

-       There was a plan to roll out real-time information displays to the two principal bus stations and then potentially roll it out in other areas.

-       Acknowledged that there was further work to be done with bus operators to ensure that they get information on street works in a timely manner.

-       The Councils contract to sell marketing space at bus shelters was coming up for renewal so there would be a need to assess the market to see how much people would pay.

-       Work was ongoing with the relevant team within the council who provide specialist support and advice, then sense checking the design with relevant specialists and local groups.

-       The larger companies track their own services, but the statutory role of the Council was as the transport coordinating authority – aiming to give a complete picture and estimated costs were £20k.

The committee welcomed the funding given but strongly emphasised the amount of  support that was required for maintaining finance in this area as the overall authority budget must be maintained at least at the same level to ensure eligibility for future funding.

The committee agreed that the challenge, and the key to stabilising, strengthening, and growing the network would be to get those who do not use buses to use them.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the Highways and Transport Committee

1.Approve the draft Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) refresh 2024 for submission to the Department for Transport (DfT) and publication on the Council’s website by the end of June 2024.

2. Approve the proposals for spending the Council’s allocation of BSIP+ funding (value £1,187,596) and the BSIP phase 3 funding (£2,268,000) for the current financial year 2024/25 and delegate the authority to spend the funding to the Director of Infrastructure and Highways, in consultation with the Enhanced Partnership Board.