Decision details

The Chair welcomed County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, Andrew Varley, Head of Service Public and Integrated Transport, and Matthew Moll, Enhanced Bus Partnership Manager to the meeting.

A presentation was provided to the committee giving an overview of the Bus Service Improvement Plan. The report and presentation outlined the improvements that had been delivered to date and ambitions post 2025. A copy of the presentation is set out in the minutes.

Comments and queries raised from the committee were as follows:

·  Regarding consultation with operators and bus user groups, it was queried whether district councils and county councillors were consulted. One member's understanding was that the Enhanced Partnership Forum membership consisted mainly of bus operators. Officers confirmed that the forum was an open forum Chaired by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, for which invites were issued to district councils, bus operators and the Lancaster District Bus User Group to attend. Efforts would be made to improve the distribution list.

·  The recent appointment of the Enhanced Bus Service Partnership Manager to the service had enabled improved information dissemination, though it was acknowledged that past communication may not have been optimal.

·  It was confirmed that negotiations with transport operators to engage them in the 'Any Bus' scheme were ongoing, and that the ticket was a long-term aspiration. In response to questions of the Any Bus ticket's reach, officers highlighted that the aim was to roll out the scheme to all services across the county over the next two years. The Fylde Coast ‘Any Bus’ scheme would include tram services. The inclusion of ferries was an ambition but not currently planned.

·  It was noted that most rural bus services were tendered services, and any commercial operator could make a bid to run those.

·  If funding for the BSIP was successful, the plan would aim to enhance existing service frequencies or introduce additional services in rural areas.

·  Service improvements would also include the enhancement of real-time information and live updates.

·  The five ‘super’ bus routes were those inter-urban routes covering significant distances such as between Preston and Southport and Morecambe and Carnforth. On the latter route, officers were identifying opportunities and in talks with the operator to link into the Lake District and the forthcoming Eden Project in Morecambe.

·  Gaps in the network were being identified and there was an ambition to increase rural service provision. However, it was reported that the last bid submitted for funding was significantly higher than what was received, which therefore limited what could be achieved in terms of enhancements across the county.

·  Running services on Sundays was dependent on future sustainability as providing these services was getting more expensive.

·  Members highlighted the need for better information at bus stops and improvements in the communication of short-notice suspensions and disruptions to services. It was confirmed that efforts are being made to improve the system of information for bus users across different operators and that officers were in the process of developing a multi-operator app.

·  On the removal of bus shelters, it was confirmed that the county council would work with bus shelter owners, such as Parish Councils, to maintain and maximise provision.

·  Members highlighted issues with transport services in Rossendale, such as the lack of trams or trains, sparse bus services, and no direct links to hospitals. Concerns were also expressed about the number of enhancements made to services in Rossendale. 

Resolved: That the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport be asked to consider:

(i)  Giving more priority and funding to improving bus service provision in rural areas and provision in the Rossendale district.

(ii)  Strengthening consultation with County Councillors on the bus service consultation process.

(iii)Reviewing and expanding the distribution list for the Enhanced Partnership Forum and to include County Councillors.