BOROUGH OF POOLE

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER 2008

REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

ON CHRISTMAS SATURDAY CREEKMOOR PARK & RIDE BUS SERVICE

1.Purpose and Policy Context

1.1To consider the operation of a 2008 Christmas Park and Ride Service from Creekmoor.

1.2The operation of the Christmas Park & Ride supports the town centre traders. It also contributes to the Council’s priority of Reducing Poole’s Carbon Footprint by reducing the number of motorists travelling to and searching for available parking in the town centre. Car parking availability in Poole town centre is very limited on the Saturdays prior to Christmas.

2. recommendations

2.1It is recommended that approval be given to :

(a)The Shamrock Buses for commercial operation of a Park and Ride service for the four Saturdays before Christmas

(b)Delegation to Officers, in consultation with the Transportation Portfolio Holder, to approve future Christmas Park and Ride operations where there is no significant change from previous years

3. Information

3.1Shamrock Buses have operated a Park and Ride service on the four Saturdays prior to Christmas since 2003. Double-deckers have been used on a 15-minute frequency. A return fare of £1.00 has previously been charged for adult passengers, with up to two accompanied children travelling free. The services have performed well and, for the last five years, have operated on a commercial basis with no financial support from the Council to the bus company.

3.2During both 2006 and 2007 the Dolphin Shopping Centre agreed to sponsor the service at 25p per passenger to (subject to a maximum of £400). In return, the Dolphin Shopping Centre logo was incorporated into publicity for the service. They have agreed to repeat this level of sponsorship again this year.

3.3For Christmas 2008 Shamrock are again willing to provide a service on the four Saturdays 29 November to 20 December on a commercial basis. Appendix A shows the proposed timetable which is unchanged from last year.

3.4Due to the significant increases in the cost of diesel and other operating costs, however, Shamrock Buses have stated that without additional subsidy it will be necessary to increase the fare charged. It is therefore proposed that for 2008 this increases to £1.50 per adult return. This still represents value for money when compared to the commercial fare on parallel local bus routes in the area (which are currently £1.80 single, £2.70 return). It is also seen as a better solution than charging additionally for children, which may potentially deter families from using the facility.

3.5The Council would need to fund the operational costs of the Creekmoor Park and Ride site of approximately £100 per day including security, opening and closing the gates and electricity charges. In addition there are signage and publicity costs. Funding is available within the car parks revenue budget for the estimated cost of the operation of this Park and Ride Service.

3.6The Town Centre Manager and Dolphin Centre Manager will again be asked to help promote a Creekmoor Park and Ride service by including advertising on their websites and other printed material.

3.7It is proposed that Shamrock Buses be permitted to operate the 2008 Christmas Park and Ride Service on the four Saturdays from 29 November to 20 December on the timetable set out in Appendix A.

3.8The cost to the Council will be approximately £400 for the operation of the site (principally security) plus any publicity costs. This will be found from within the existing revenue budgets.

JULIAN McLAUGHLIN

Head of Transportation Services

Background Papers

APPENDIX A – Proposed Timetable and Route Description

Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact

John McVey (01202) 262221

9 October 2008

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APPENDIX A

PROPOSED TIMETABLE AND ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Park & Ride Service 801 Creekmoor Park & Ride to Poole Town Centre

Christmas Saturday Service 29 November – 20 December 2008

Creekmoor P&R Site / 0800 / 0815 / 0830 / 0845 / And
At / 00 / 15 / 30 / 45 / until / 1800
Falkland Sq. Shopping Ctr. / 0815 / 0830 / 0845 / 0900 / 15 / 30 / 45 / 00 / 1815
Creekmoor P&R Site / 0829 / 0844 / 0859 / 0914 / 29 / 44 / 59 / 14 / 1830

Stopping places: Creekmoor Park & Ride Site and Falkland Square Shopping Centre

Route: Creekmoor Park & Ride, Upton Road, Upton By-Pass, Holes Bay Road, Towngate Bridge, George Roundabout, Towngate Bridge, Serpentine Lane, Service Road to Falkland Square Shopping Centre. Return is via Serpentine Road, Towngate Bridge and reverse of outward route to the Creekmoor Park & Ride site.

Fare: £1.50 return with up to two accompanied children travelling free.

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