Agenda item

To discuss the provision of bus services and to include the reliability and demand of bus services.

In accordance with the scrutiny scope document (key tasks), there was a discussion with public transport providers, including the reliability and demand of bus services.

In attendance were Christian Allen-Clay (General Manager - Kinch Bus), Ross Hitchcock (Head of Commercial – Trent Barton), Toby France (Head of Commercial - Arriva) and Andy Allen (Network Manager - Arriva). The following summarises the discussion:

       i.          There were a number of factors affecting bus service provision in the community which were not under the control of bus companies. Some examples of these non-controllable factors included road works, congestion, the planning of new estates and highways designs and staff sickness. Bus companies held regular internal meetings to look at future service issues (for example, before school term dates) and monitored services daily to identify more immediate issues and to find solutions. Representatives from local bus companies also attended regular Enhanced Partnership meetings with Leicestershire County Council and other partners to discuss challenges. Bus providers aimed to limit disruption to services and to prevent bad service experiences as much as possible.

      ii.          Bus services were primarily measured in punctuality and reliability. GPS technology was used to identify the location of buses every 20 seconds and this information was used to plan future timetables and make amendments to services where necessary.

    iii.          Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were used by bus service providers to measure performance. There were controllable measures that affected bus services, such as replacing buses that were out of service, and uncontrollable measures, such as road works and staff sickness. In addition to formal performance monitoring, customer feedback was important as it provided an idea of issues not picked up by monitoring equipment.

    iv.          It was highlighted that communications about road works and other issues on the roads were not always communicated to bus companies in good time, to allow them to proactively respond.

     v.          It was difficult for bus service providers to communicate service issues to customers. It was possible to use tracking apps to inform customers, although not all bus users would access apps to track bus services.

    vi.          There were recruitment and retention issues across the sector and a shortage of skilled bus drivers and engineers. It was time intensive to train bus drivers and an enhanced medical was required prior to training. Bus companies were actively trying to recruit more people into in-house training programmes and were present at careers fairs and on recruitment websites. It was suggested that recruitment drives aimed at women may be beneficial.

  vii.          Bus companies were experiencing supply chain challenges and there were problems with the availability of parts for buses requiring repairs. It was possible for bus companies to loan vehicles to other companies in the event of an emergency. However, drivers were used to specific vehicles so this was not preferred.

 viii.          It was highlighted that some new estates were difficult for buses to access as the road designs were not suitable for large vehicles. In addition to this, it was difficult for buses to access some new estates that were built with one entry and exit road. This was because customers already using a service would not want more time added to their journey to enable the bus to travel around a new estate.

    ix.          The new Broadnook development would not include a bus gate, and it was unclear why this proposal had been rejected. The panel felt that it would be beneficial to ask the Team Leader – Strategic Development why a bus gate was not accepted in the planning of the Broadnook development.

     x.          The Fox Cub buses that had been popular in the 1980s were discontinued because they were no longer financially viable. The buses were initially cheap to run and small enough to use in smaller estates. Bus driver salaries had increased and the demand for the service had not increased at the same rate. Stagecoach buses had recently trialled a service called ‘Little and Often’ which aimed to provide high-frequency transport.  The trail was not financially viable and the service was discontinued.

    xi.          It was suggested that local bus companies may benefit from advertisements and notifications in local magazines. Recruitment information and information regarding the restrictions on services, or changes to services could be communicated in this way. Councillor Seaton offered to help with advertisements in the local paper in Thurmaston.

  xii.          Members felt that some areas of the Borough had good and reliable transport links.

 xiii.          It was recognised that there was a negative perception around the punctuality and reliability of buses. The reality was that very few buses were cancelled, although the public perception was that cancellation of journeys was a common occurrence.

xiv.          Illegal parking was a significant issue for local bus services. There had also been problems with parked cars during the week of the Loughborough Fair. It was suggested that additional enforcement in problem areas would be advantageous.

  xv.          Parking in Oxford City Centre was priced significantly more than parking in surrounding park and ride sites in order to encourage more sustainable methods of travel. In addition, Councils in Oxfordshire had made good use of Section 106 and Section 278 contributions from new developments to improve bus services and supporting infrastructure.

xvi.          The panel wished to draft a recommendation based on the parking in Loughborough Town Centre, to increase the inspection of parking and enforcement.

xvii.          Bus service providers stated that there were a number of ways the Borough Council could support the reliability and punctuality of bus services;

·       By encouraging more involvement of bus service providers in the Planning process.

·       By participating in the Enhanced Partnership Forum at Leicestershire County Council.

·       By considering the impact on bus services and bus service users when decisions such as pedestrianization were made.

·       To communicate with bus service providers at the earliest opportunity when there may be disruption to bus services.

xviii.          Charnwood Borough Council did have a delegate on the Enhanced Partnership Forum, but it was unclear who this was. The Head of Commercial at Arriva agreed to liaise with the Democratic Services Officer to find out who the delegate was.

xix.          It was anticipated that the £2.00 bus fare scheme introduced by the Government in response to the Cost of Living Crisis would continue until December 2024. It was likely that real bus fares would have increased since the scheme had been implemented, due to inflation.

  xx.          The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on bus passenger numbers. Some routes were yet to receive the same numbers of passengers as pre-pandemic levels. Concessionary passenger numbers were at approximately 70% of the total numbers pre-pandemic. This may be due to changes in routines and reduced confidence. It was recognised that increasing advertisements would potentially increase passenger numbers, highlighting reasons to use public transport.

AGREED

1.     That the panel notes the information.

2.     That the Team Leader – Strategic Development respond to the panel regarding the rejection of a bus gate as part of the Broadnook development.

3.     That the Head of Commercial at Arriva liaise with the Democratic Services Officer to identify the Charnwood Borough Council delegate on the Enhanced Partnership Forum.

4.     That a draft recommendation be noted (wording to be confirmed): ‘The parking in the Baxter Gate/High Street area of Loughborough Town Centre be inspected more regularly and enforcement action be taken where there were issues’.