Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority which provides an overview of the progress made in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board detailed in its inquiry report ’Advancing Bus Service Provision’, published 17 May 2017.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, the Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority submitted a report which set out an overview of the progress made in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board detailed in its inquiry report ‘Advancing Bus Service Provision’, published 17 May 2017.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Brandon Jones, Head of External Relations, FirstGroup

-  Martin Hirst, Commercial Director, FirstGroup

-  Andrew McGuinness, Chair of ABOWY

-  Alex Hornby, Chief Executive Officer, Transdev

-  Dave Pearson, Director of Transport Services, WYCA

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation, LCC

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport & Planning, LCC

The following information was appended to the report:

-  ‘Advancing Bus Service Provision’ Recommendation Tracking Report

-  ‘Transforming Our Bus Network’ Leaflet

-  ‘Leeds Scrutiny Inquiry: Bus Services’ PowerPoint presentation

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The context of the national decline in bus patronage, to a greater extent in West Yorkshire. The Board were informed of a range of initiative to increase bus patronage amongst young people, but sought clarity around other initiatives for different age groups. 

·  The need for better connectivity between communities, with bus routes incorporating hospitals, schools, supermarkets etc.

·  Addressing areas with low car ownership across the city. The Board were informed that intelligence is gathered to establish those who are entirely reliant on buses, and to work on corridor approaches areas with low car ownership.

·  The need for early engagement with housing developers, prior to the Section 106 stage, to ensure development plans incorporate bus routes and accessibility.

·  Current technological developments to ensure real time updates enable service users to effectively plan journeys.

·  Support for card readers on buses and new apps for purchasing tickets, but emphasis around the primary need to address issues with punctuality and increase contingencies for buses that do not complete journeys.

·  Pledges made by bus companies in relation to Bus 18, a collaborative approach to improve customer experience, reduce emissions and making buses easier to use.

·  Support for publishing performance data, in order to be more transparent and trusted by service users.

·  Proactive engagement with service users, and feedback following public consultation.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 2 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 3 – Achieved

·  Recommendation 4 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 5 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 6 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 7 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 8 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 9 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring)

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure & Investment):

a)  Noted the information contained within the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, the Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

b)  Considered the written and verbal evidence provided by those in attendance.

c)  Approved the recommendation statuses as above.

The meeting concluded at 12:30pm