Issue - meetings

To consider this report which provides an update to Merseytravel on key bus issues relating to the second quarter of 2019/2020.

The Committee considered a report from the Bus Strategy Programme Manager, Laura Needham who highlighted the following: -

·         9% growth in fare paying patronage year on year, which ‘bucks’ the national trend in bus patronage;

·         For the first time adult patronage has increased and is now driving overall growth with over 150m bus journeys being made in the Liverpool City Region;

·         Green Bus Routes programme has begun with consultants being appointed to lead on the interventions and options along the corridors;

·         100% of buses in the Liverpool City Region are now taking contactless payments with the first week of take up being around 8.2% with an increase in September 2019 up to 11.10%;

·         The Customer Growth and Development Work-stream continues in October 2019 with the campaign “We cannot wait to tackle climate change” theme which mirrors public concern;

·         Second phase of consultation for the Sefton Network review has commenced in early June 2019 and the changes have been implemented since September 2019;

·         ‘Cumfybus’Ltd have applied and been accepted to join the Liverpool City Region Bus Alliance and are already participating in the business planning process for next year;

·         The Liverpool City Region continues to explore the Bus Services Act with 3 options being assessed including franchising, enhanced partnerships and the Bus Alliance, an update was considered recently by the Combined Authority in July 2019;

·         As a result of the new ticket machines for contactless payments there has been an increase in real time information accuracy;

·         The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been shortlisted for the City Region Authority of the year;

·         The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Bus Alliance has also been shortlisted for three

Members enquired about the following issues:-

·         The increase in patronage being contrary to the reduction in usage and if there was demand for the services available?

·         Was the ‘older tyre ban’ already done locally?

·         What routes have been identified for the 24-hour service?

·         Are there any other bus operators considering joining the Bus Alliance?

·         Any plans for another service for the High Park estate?

·         How accurate is the 95.3% for the RTI punctuality and reliability system?

·         How is the demand responsive travel going in the Speke area?

·         What provisions are in place for rural bus services in the city region, when operators are withdrawing services at short notice?

Laura Needham responded to the questions as follows: -

·         The vision and information was built upon the public consultation and forms part of the business planning with the Bus Alliance for next year.

·         Regarding the vision for the 24 hour services, it is to be rolled out across all services by April 2020.

·         There is one other operator who is interested in the Bus Alliance.

·         A review is conducted every 6 months and the High Park estate will be looked at again.

·         Using the new ticket machines in place has assisted how the RTI information is tracked.

·         Demand Responsive Travel has been good and in the first full week 472 new journeys were made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41