Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which outlines the focus of the 3^rd session of the Scrutiny Inquiry into Bus Service Provision.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which outlined the focus of the 3^rd session of the Scrutiny Inquiry into Bus Service Provision.

The following information was appended to the report:

• Speech of the Bus Minister Andrew Jones which explains the government’s forthcoming Buses Bill – 11^th February 2016

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:

-  Andrew Hall  – Head of Transportation

-  Tom Gifford – Project Manager WYCA

-  Neale Wallace – Bus Services Manager WYCA

-  Cllr Richard Lewis – Executive Board Member, Regeneration, Transport and Planning.

-  Phil Bown – Regional Officer, Unite

-  Andy Dyer – Branch Secretary for First Bus Leeds, Unite

-  Ray Wilkes – West Yorkshire Campaign for Better Transport

-  Ian Williams – Leeds Chamber of Commerce

-  Nigel Foster – Leeds Chamber of Commerce

The key areas of discussion were:

• Reducing the environmental impact and the carbon footprint of buses, Euro standards and regulating standards. The Board were advised that some current vehicles are over 30 years old and that there is currently no restriction with regard to standards however yellow and access buses will be converted to ensure better air quality.
• The potential low emission zone (clean air zone) in Leeds, similar to that in London and the development of hybrid technology by the main bus manufacturers.
• The lack of reinvestment of operator profits into bus operations and updating the fleet
• The importance of bus transportation to the local economy and the dependence of residents in the more deprived areas of the City on the bus as a mode of transport.
• The view of the members of the Chamber of Commerce, the need for a balanced transport strategy, transport integration, looking beyond the boundaries of Leeds to ensure the Leeds economy prospers.
• The challenges to scheduling such as congestion. The Board were advised that congestion is one of a number of problems and is not the only obstacle to providing effective services.
• The importance of proactive communication to the public about the bus services available and the increase of services on Sundays.
• Whether bus deregulation works in big conurbations. London was never deregulated and Edinburgh is run by the local authority. Unite highlighted that Sheffield has a working partnership with an integrated ticketing policy and has regulated services with operators working together. The network would need to be managed and integration would be required with operators working together to achieve this in Leeds.
• Concern regarding the removal of the 72 FTR service by First Bus at weekends.
• Quality Bus Contracts and the removal of competition on the road, offering improvement in services and in the quality of vehicles.  Nexus and the question of whether the current guidance is workable. The need to deliver an outcome which supports economic growth.
• Safety and security whilst using or waiting for the bus and the partnership with West Yorkshire Police.

RESOLVED

a)  The report was noted and the evidence considered as part of the inquiry.