Agenda item

To examine the progress made on the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership and forthcoming changes to bus services in the borough.

The sub-committee received a report which provided an update on the work which had been undertaken at regional level to develop an Enhanced Partnership for bus service changes within the borough.

It was explained that in March 2021 the Government had announced that future funding for bus services had been dependent on local authorities and bus operators participating in new arrangements including the development of an Enhanced Partnership (EP) with bus operators.  Each area had also been required to develop a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).  The 7 authority areas covered by the North of Tyne and North East Combined Authorities had a single Joint Transport Committee which had approved the North East’s BSIP in October 2021.  The BSIP had also included a bid for £804M funding to transform bus services in the region.

In November 2021 the Deputy Mayor, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and appropriate Directors had been authorised to approve the Enhanced Partnership plan and scheme for consultation and to agree any amendments to the plan and scheme following the conclusion of the consultation exercise.

Each area was required to share a draft EP plan and scheme with the Department of Transport (DfT) by the end of April 2022.  Once the plan and scheme has been considered and finalised with the DfT formal consultation with the public and bus operators would be carried out prior to the EP plan and scheme being approved.

It was noted that bus usage had not returned to pre-Covid levels and the Covid grant support funding for bus operators had been extended to October 2022.  Details of the changes being made to bus services in the area by the bus operators from the 27 March 2022 were outlined.  It was explained that Nexus and the bus operators had worked together and the changes had been timed to accord with the changes that Nexus had made to the secured bus services. 

Reference was made to the implications of high fuel costs and whether this was expected to lead to an increase in demand for the use of public transport and more active travel, such as cycling.  It was explained that whilst it would be a personal choice to use public transport there were several issues which would need to be addressed to encourage more people out of their cars, including addressing safety concerns, encouraging concessionary pass holders to make more use of their passes and improving the information available to the public about bus and Metro services.     It was suggested that the appropriate Cabinet member and a representative of Nexus or the Joint Transport Committee be invited to a future meeting to provide an update on public transport in the borough.

It was suggested that there was a perception that there had been an uncoordinated approach to the provision of bus shelters in the borough.  Reference was made to bus shelters being installed in locations that had recently had bus routes that used the bus stop either ended or diverted to another location.  It was suggested that Members raise specific examples within their ward with Nexus.     

It was agreed that (1) the Cabinet Member be invited to a future meeting to provide an update on public transport in the borough; and

(2) a representative of Nexus and/or the Joint Transport Committee be invited to attend a future meeting to provide an update on public transport in the borough and how this was communicated with residents.