Agenda item

Bus network recovery and bus infrastructure programme

Decision:

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

 

1. To note the contents of the National Bus Strategy and the work programme arising from it.

 

2. To agree to publish a Notice of Intent to proceed with the development of a joint Enhanced Partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council (as local transport authorities), Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council (as highway authorities) and bus operators.

 

3. To allocate £900k from the Investment Fund tail for the bus programme for development of a joint Bus Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership and that approval of the relevant Feasibility & Development Funding Application be delegated to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent councils.

 

4. That the Combined Authority Committee approve the change request for the Bus Infrastructure Programme and Metrobus Consolidation Package and the award of an additional £600k from the Investment Fund tail for the bus programme as proposed in the report and detailed in Appendix 5.

 

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

 

1. To note the contents of the National Bus Strategy and the work programme arising from it.

 

2. To agree to publish a Notice of Intent to proceed with the development of a joint Enhanced Partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council (as local transport authorities), Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council (as highway authorities) and bus operators.

 

Minutes:

The Combined Authority Committee and Joint Committee considered a report (agenda item 12) that:

* set out an update on the National Bus Strategy.

* sought approval for the work programme arising from the National Bus Strategy and the associated budget.

* updated on the Bus Infrastructure Programme and Metrobus consolidation package and sought approval for amendments.

* sought approval for additional funding for the Bus Infrastructure Programme to accelerate delivery. 

 

The Chair highlighted that the committee was asked to agree to publish a Notice of Intent to proceed with the development of a joint Enhanced Partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council and bus operators. 

 

The Chair then moved the report recommendations relating to the Combined Authority Committee.

 

This motion was seconded by Councillor Savage.

 

The Chair then moved the report recommendations relating to the Joint Committee.

 

This motion was seconded by Councillor Davies.

 

Councillor Guy welcomed the report - whilst recognising the need to take forward strategic bus corridors with high volumes of passengers to better connect urban areas through bus services, it will also be important to ensure connectivity to and from rural communities across the region.

 

Councillor Davies also stressed the importance of serving rural communities through bus services, which may require innovative approaches.  He additionally commented that in engaging with the public about future bus services, it will be important to ensure this is made ‘real’ and meaningful from the perspective of service users.

 

The Chair commented that whilst there was a potential option available of embarking on the development of a franchising scheme instead of an Enhanced Partnership, such an arrangement (which would give more local control over the bus network) would not reduce operating costs, or bring in more revenue, and currently would place a substantial revenue risk on the franchising authority.  Revenue and income streams currently available to support a franchising approach, for example in the case of the Greater London Authority and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority were not available at this point to the West of England Combined Authority.

 

Councillor Savage also welcomed the report and the evidence-based approach which informed the proposed option of taking forward an Enhanced Partnership. He added that the future of public transport is a key issue for the Combined Authority, in the context of the climate emergency. This also linked in with the masterplanning work and delivery being taken forward around high streets and town centres resourced through the Combined Authority.  He also noted that a franchising option would have taken 2 years to assess at a cost of over £5 million.

 

Mayor Rees stressed the importance of engaging meaningfully with the public and passengers and advised that Bristol can assist and advise on this, for example through the community development teams and outreach approach which is in place.  He also stressed the key importance of pressing forward with the delivery of Park and Ride sites.

The Chair then moved to the voting on the recommendations.

 

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

 

1. To note the contents of the National Bus Strategy and the work programme arising from it.

 

2. To agree to publish a Notice of Intent to proceed with the development of a joint Enhanced Partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council (as local transport authorities), Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council (as highway authorities) and bus operators.

 

3. To allocate £900k from the Investment Fund tail for the bus programme for development of a joint Bus Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership and that approval of the relevant Feasibility & Development Funding Application be delegated to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent councils.

 

4. That the Combined Authority Committee approve the change request for the Bus Infrastructure Programme and Metrobus Consolidation Package and the award of an additional £600k from the Investment Fund tail for the bus programme as proposed in the report and detailed in Appendix 5.

 

The West of England Joint Committee RESOLVED:

 

1. To note the contents of the National Bus Strategy and the work programme arising from it.

 

2. To agree to publish a Notice of Intent to proceed with the development of a joint Enhanced Partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council (as local transport authorities), Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council (as highway authorities) and bus operators.

 

Supporting documents: