Agenda item

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which introduces the second session looking into Bus Services in Leeds.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report introducing the second session of the inquiry into Bus Services in Leeds. Two reports were attached which provided evidence for the session. The first was a report on the camera enforcement of bus lanes and the second was a report from the Director of City Development which also incorporated information provided by Metro.

In attendance to answer Member questions were:

Mark Jefford  - Parking Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods;

Andrew Hall – Acting Head of Transport Policy;

John Henkel – Director of Passenger Services, Metro; and

Dave Pearson – Assistant Director of Transport Services, Metro.

Members expressed support for enforcement against any vehicle using a bus lane illegally. However comment was also made that the amount of bus lanes made it difficult for licensed private hire vehicles to drop customers off at locations where a bus lane is in place.

Members also noted that greater emphasis should be placed on enforcing 2 + lanes to encourage car sharing.  Members were informed that only the Police could enforce these lanes.

Members agreed that cameras in bus lanes helped make them more efficient.

At this point in the meeting Members moved on to discuss Bus Services in Leeds.

The proposed Quality Bus Contracts were raised and Members explored how it was considered by Metro that these contracts would be of benefit to customers. The Partnership Offer from the bus companies was also discussed and how this was being further explored.

Better Bus Areas were discussed, which would reform the way the Bus Services Operators Grant is paid.  Members discussed whether this would increase competition and improve the service to customers.

Members discussed various aspects of service quality including frequency and reliability of services and the range of complaints received by Metro.

They were informed of some of the work being undertaken by bus companies to develop new strategies, and reminded of some of the external factors, such as fuel costs and congestion, affecting services.

Members considered that priority should be given to addressing ticket prices and reliability in order to get people to use buses again in light of other options available. If fares were addressed it was felt that congestion in the City could be reduced.

The ticketing system was highlighted by the Board, with a consensus that simplification and integration of the types of tickets across the differing companies would go a long way to encouraging people back on to buses.

Encouraging children onto buses was also seen as a priority by Members with the integration of the Breeze Card seen as a way of getting children to use buses. However Metro informed the Committee that the Breeze Card was not currently compatible with the system used by Bus Companies.

The Board discussed what was happening elsewhere in relation to other areas pursuing quality contracts and partnership approaches.

Members noted the proposed cut in services to the Outer North East in the early morning as part of the network review. It was explained to Members that average passenger use was looked at to determine service provision and where a subsidy of £3-£4 per customer is reached the service is taken away.

The poor provision of night services was also raised. Members were informed that due to lack of funding it was impossible to provide such services in Leeds.

The Assistant Director of Transport Services confirmed that network review proposals were being considered and that during January and February public consultation will take place on these.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(Councillor Marjoram left the meeting at 11:40am during discussion of this item. Councillor Akhtar left the meeting at 12:15pm during discussion of this item)

(Councillor Marjoram left the meeting at 11:40am during discussion of this item. Councillor Akhtar left the meeting at 12:15pm during discussion of this item)