Agenda item

(To receive a report from Anita Ruffle, Head of Transport Services, which presents the Committee with an overview the Lincolnshire Enhanced Partnership Scheme & Bus Service Improvement Plan)

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Transport Services on the Lincolnshire Enhanced Partnership Scheme & Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The alternative option of a franchising scheme was not available to the Council as it did not have an elected Mayor or control over planning policy. The funding opportunities would allow the Council to further invest in the strategic bus network and support the development of the economy. Bus Services offered a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions of the transport network. The BSIP would include:

• Training offered by Boston College;
• A mobile app to provide all-operator information;
• User-friendly journey planner;
• More frequent buses;
• A longer operating day;
• Offering services to new developments;
• App based booking for Callconnect;
• A quality corridor between Boston and Skegness.

In addition, infrastructure tiers were also proposed with time table information for bus stop flags, dry waiting areas for shelters, real time travel information for interchanges and CCTV and bike storage for bus stations. Traffic light priority would be introduced at all Scoot controlled junctions to support buses running late. The BSIP would also seek to align operator policies to ensure that there was a consistent age of eligibility across all operators and a broadly consistent discount for those young people. Interchange hubs would be explored around large urban area. Layover locations would be introduced to allow breaks and wait for school closing times. Loading times, advanced parking notifications and Variable Message Signage would be considered in Skegness. A decarbonisation roadmap was proposed to include retro-fit emission capture technologies, electric bus projects, a bus renewal programme and increased requirement for operators to use vehicles compliant with higher Emission Standards. A passenger charger would document what service users could expect aboard, including among other, Wi-Fi and USB chargers on every bus, bus sanitation and cleanliness, the age of the vehicle, its carbon emissions and the driver's behaviour and attire.To implement an Enhanced Partnership Scheme the Council would have to publish its intent before June 2021. This had already been completed by the Executive Director for Place. The current stage was for the Council to prepare and publish a Bus Service Improvement Plan by the end of October 2021. Finally, the Council would have to undertake all statutory processes in preparation of this. Officers had been engaging with local bus Operators, District Councils, MPs and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership to gain their views on what the Lincolnshire BSIP should focus on. Risks included limited timescales to engage with stakeholders, unclear guidance on assessment and pressure to propose an ambitious scheme.

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

• Members requested further clarity on how the public was being consulted. It was clarified that an engagement cycle had been undertaken via an online survey which received a good response level. A formal public consultation was scheduled to take place in November through December 2021, in line with governmental guidance, to obtain views of both service users and members of the wider public. Information was being promoted online, through Parish Councils’ notice boards and local magazines to raise awareness of the public and receive feedback.
• Assurance was given that bus service operators were getting advance notice when road works were taking place. Highways and Transport Services made efforts to ensure alternative routes were available where road works were taking place.
• In relation to resources, Members were informed that Boston College was engaged to establish courses due to its major investment in transport and logistics school with state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technological means of specialism in this field. Members were assured that Boston College, which also had facilities outside the area that may be used to provide markets with local skilled workforce, was used as a trial area and that this was being rolled out more widely to other areas around the county through other additional service providers.
• Members raised concerns that the long-term viability of pocket hubs, which were host to Park and Ride schemes, were not affected though withdrawn cooperation. Members were assured that there was a view to relocate Park and Ride sites to designated pocket hubs. There was a range of these types of facilities and the optimum solution for each location was considered. Legal agreements were in place to ensure viability of existing schemes and there were already providers across the county that expressed interest. Members emphasised the need for schemes in the East and West of Lincoln City on any land suitable for Park and Ride locations.
• Seeking assurance, Members asked that funding for EPS & BSIP was still secured. Assurance was given that part of the funds was already being spent and that there were further funds still available; moreover, even where funds were insufficient, schemes' delivery was obliged through partnership binding agreements. Partnerships were made aware of available funds and every effort was made to ensure that the Council was not exposed to financial risk.
• In response to comments raised regarding the electric bus scheme trial, it was advised that this was being considered in Boston and Grantham in line with feedback received from operators and District Councils. These areas were indicative rather than definitive, other areas were also being considered. Assurance was given that the areas were being reviewed based upon other factors, such as the number of vehicles and services operated in these areas, plus the associated charging infrastructure requirements. 
• A Member emphasised that it should be acknowledged in the report that the agreement would have had a positive impact on Section 17, by way of reduced crime and disorder through individuals being discouraged from drink driving and young people being better connected with areas they wished to visit reducing antisocial behaviour exhibited in some areas.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee unanimously agreed to support the recommendations to the Executive as detailed in the report.

2.    That the comments listed above be passed on to the Executive in relation to this item.