Members considered approval of £153,000 in additional annual expenditure for five years from 2017-18 to enable the continuation of the existing bus network.

The Chairman of the of Highways, Transport & Environment O&S Panel had agreed to the urgent report being added to the agenda as a number of routes would have services withdrawn at the end of April 2017 if a decision was not made by Cabinet on bus services  before that date.

The Deputy Lead Member explained that there had been a national decline in bus usage of 2% per annum, but this was 3% in the borough. The report asked for Cabinet support of local bus services despite the decline, as it supported the objectives of the borough local plan to provide travel options for schools, town centres, leisure and other services. A competitive tendering exercise had been undertaken for a number of routes; the outcome was due in early May. The message was that, through investment, the borough would keep its residents on the move for years to come. The borough would work with operators to ensure long term sustainable services. There would be no temporary stop to any service. Transport networks would be at the centre of the council’s planning for the future. It would be important that public transport was at the heart of infrastructure planning. Where other local authorities were turning their back, the borough was stepping in. When Surrey County council had withdrawn their 80% subsidy for the 305 service, the borough had stepped in to increase its subsidy from 20% to 100%.

The Deputy Lead Member for Ascot Regeneration commented that it was in no doubt that some of the services for vulnerable or elderly people were a lifeline. Older people in Ascot and the Sunnings used the White Bus to travel to Windsor and across the Ascot area. It was to the council’s credit that it was willing to accept the social responsibility and provide a substantial subsidy. He asked what the council was doing to encourage increased patronage.

The Deputy Lead Member highlighted that, unlike neighbouring local authorities, older residents in the borough could use bus passes before 9.30am. The council had spent £179,000 in the previous year on real time bus information. Bus stops were kept clear and a number of raised kerbs had been installed for easier access. A new bus stop had been installed in Oakley green. 90% of buses in the borough were under 5 years old and all had CCTV. The Transport Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPs) allowed individuals to apply for up to £100 of funding to use the People to Places service, which provided direct pick up and drop off.

The Chairman requested that if not already available, an analysis of best practice and how to encourage people to use public transport should be undertaken. Alternative business models may be needed in the future to avoid simply using council tax payer money to provide the service.

It was confirmed that, if the recommendations were approved, £153,000 would be added to the budget in year one, and would then remain in the base budget for the five year period.

The Chairman requested that notices be placed on all bus stops on affected routes to give assurances to residents that the services would continue.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Cabinet notes the report and:

i)       Approves additional annual expenditure of £153,000 for five-years from 2017-18 for the continuation of the operation of the existing network of bus services from 1 May 2017.

ii)     Provides delegated authority to the Interim Executive Director in conjunction with the Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Highways and Transport, and the Deputy Lead Member – Bus Champion to award contracts for the tendered bus services from 1 August 2017.