Agenda item

To consider the report from West Yorkshire Combined Authority which updates the Scrutiny Board about the ongoing Bus Strategy Consultation and provides an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to provide a response. The report also provides an outline of the Buses Bill and the opportunities this could facilitate once enacted.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority submitted a report which provided the Scrutiny Board with an update on the ongoing Bus Strategy consultation and provided the opportunity for the Board to provide a response. The report also provided an outline of the Buses Bill and the opportunities this could introduce once enacted.

The following information was appended to the report:

·  Appendix 1 – West Yorkshire Transport Strategy Summary

·  Appendix 2 – West Yorkshire Bus Strategy Summary

·  Appendix 3 – The Bus Services Bill and Overview, Department of Transport

·  Appendix 4 – Letter from WYCA Transport Committee to MP’s regarding the Bus Services Bill

·  Appendix 5 – Local Government Association briefing note on Bus Services Bill

·  Appendix 6 – UTG response to the Transport Select Committee

The following representatives were in attendance to respond to Members

queries and comments:

- Andrew Hall – Head of Transportation (City Development)

- Tom Gifford – Project Manager, WYCA

- Dave Pearson – Director of Transport Services, WYCA

- Cllr Richard Lewis  - Executive Board Member, Regeneration

  Transport and Planning

The key areas for discussion were:

·  The involvement of operators in the West Yorkshire Bus Strategy. This was progressed regardless of the Bus Bill to enable focus on issues that can be addressed with bus operators in a collaborative way.

·  Day to day bus service issues. The Board were advised that WYCA work with bus operators and Highways, looking at the corridors and routes that have the biggest problems with regard to punctuality and reliability. The Board was also advised of the work done to reduce congestion due to road works.

·  Consultation update and the demographic make-up of responses. The Board sought clarity on how young people are being engaged in the consultation. In response to the consultation the Board expressed their concerns about bus reliability, the lack of sanctions for bus companies and affordability due to the consistent rise in bus fares.

·  Fare structures for children and young people and the gradual decrease in patronage. 

·  The ability of the community to influence commercial bus routes and the subsidised services commissioned by WYCA.

·  Appendix 4, Letter from the Combined Authority to all Leeds City Region Members of Parliament. The Board sought clarity regarding any response from the MP’s to the concerns regarding franchising powers in the Bus Services Bill and the addition of  requirements or tests which could render the legislation useless.  It was confirmed that no response had been received. The Board acknowledged that further lobbying may be needed as the Bill in its current draft leaves the decision regarding franchising for authorities without an elected mayor to the secretary of state. This is a concern for a number of authorities not just West Yorkshire. The Scrutiny Board resolved to endorse the points made in appendix 4 and to support this by writing to MP’s.

·  Bus technologies and the need for greater investment in cleaner technologies.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board:

a)  noted the information in the report of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, including the progress of the ongoing consultation with members of the public and stakeholders on the West Yorkshire Bus Strategy.

b)  Provided consultation feedback regarding bus reliability, the lack of sanctions for bus companies and affordability.

c)  Endorsed the points made by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee in their letter detailed as appendix 4.  The Scrutiny Board will also write to MP’s regarding the restrictive draft legislation relating to franchising.