Agenda item

(To receive a report from Anita Ruffle, Head of Transport Services, which presents the Committee with an annual update on Passenger Transport Matters since the previous report considered by the Committee)

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Transport Services updating the Committee on Passenger Transportation. The market for passenger transport was extremely fragile and small, requiring support to be provided by Government and the Council. A shortage of PSV (Passenger Carrying Vehicles) drivers was having a detrimental effect on the market's ability to deliver local bus services and home to school contracts. Passenger numbers were beginning to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, with adult and child fares being 70 – 75 per cent of pre Covid-19 journeys. However, older age concessionary pass holder journeys had only recovered to that of 45 – 50 per cent of pre Covid-19 figures. Government offered funding to facilitate designated buses to separate students from the wider public, while the Council allocated some of its Covid-19 funding to support operators with cleaning regimes and additional PPE. Covid-19 Bus Service Support Grant (CBSSG) was due to end in September 2021, but further Recovery Funding would be provided until April 2022. Reduced passenger numbers and driver shortages were resulting in routes failing to remain profitable, likely requiring support from the Council in the future. The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) had lobbied for support to relive the financial impact. Coach operators were struggling to remain compliant with the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR); however, the Department for Transport were extending an exemption, originally due to expire 1 January 2020, to 31 March 2022.

The Committee considered the report, and during the discussion the following comments were noted:- 

• Concerns were raised by Members over the ownership, and maintenance funding of bus shelters. It was advised that the Council could indeed consider offering to maintain bus shelters subject to funding. The National Bus Strategy looked to support bus shelters. In addition it was confirmed that local authorities could combine funding pots, including Section 106 agreements, to give a greater overall maintenance budget.
• Of the 55 per cent of users had a concessional pass; Members asked how many used it on a regular basis. This would be circulated to the Committee outside of the meeting.
• Observing the risk of students being removed from the Home School Transport Scheme, Members asked what alternative facility was in place to get them to school. It was explained that a taxi service was used to provide transportation, however, it was stressed that removals from the Home School Transportation Scheme were often a result of a student's special needs rather than poor behaviour. In addition, a number of steps were taken before exclusion. Detailed data on the rates of school transport exclusion would be circulated to the Committee.
• Noting the relatively small market operated in in Lincolnshire, Members asked if operators could do more to attract passengers such as running 'use it or lose it' campaign. The distance between market towns was stressed to Members, but they were advised that if demand was substantial then the introduction of a service would be explored. Operators were supported to advertise at risk services to the public.
• With the success of CallConnect, Members asked if there was still a need for traditional public transport. It was advised that there was a place for both traditional fixed route services and more responses services like Core Connect.
• Appreciating the pressure for accessible vehicles, Members asked if Tekal could be utilised to help reduce those costs. It was explained that while Tekal could offer support, however, resources were currently targeted at area of the most immediate problem such as special needs transportation and CallConnect.
• Members felt that bus service routes could be advertised clearer. They were advised that route information formed part of the Bus Service Improvement plan.

RESOLVED

That the report and comments be noted.