BOROUGH OF POOLE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP
20 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Meeting commenced at 09:30 hours and concluded at 11:40 hours.
Present:
Councillor Burden (Chairman)
Councillors Brooke, Gregory, Mrs Lavender, Leverett (substituting for Councillor Chandler), Mason (substituting for Councillor Mrs Long), Trent, White and Wilson (substituting for Councillor Miss Wilson).
Members of the public present: 4
TAG50.07APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss Wilson, Chandler, Mrs Long and Gillard (with the above substitutions) and Julian McLaughlin, Head of Transportation Services.
TAG51.07DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No declarations of interest were declared.
TAG52.07MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 August 2007 were submitted for approval.
TAG42.07, Apologies for Absence – after “Chandler” insert “Mrs Long”.
TAG49.07, page 12 – within the votes “For”, delete “Mrs Long”.
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 August 2007, as amended, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
TAG53.07SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIRMAN, IS OF SUFFICIENT URGENCY TO WARRANT CONSIDERATION
The Portfolio Holder advised Members that, following the recent fire at the Co-op in Hamworthy, there were now more buses being routed through Hamworthy so that residents were able to access the nearby Tesco and Asda stores.
TAG54.07BUS PETITION – VICARAGE ROAD, STANLEY GREEN ROAD AND STERTE ROAD
John McVey, Passenger Transport Manger, presented a Report which considered a Petition to reinstate the former 131 Bus Service between Poole and Corfe Mullen via Stanley Green Road and Vicarage Road.
Members were reminded that a Petition with over 300 signatories had been submitted by Mrs Boyd which called for the return of the 131 Service which previously operated every half hour in the daytime from Poole via Sterte, Stanley Green Road, Vicarage Road, Fleetsbridge, Waterloo, Broadstone and Corfe Mullen prior to the major Bus Service revisions introduced by Wilts and Dorset Bus Company in June 2006.
The 131 Service was replaced in June 2006 by a new Service 4 which operates on a 15 minute frequency between Poole, Fleetsbridge, Waterloo and Broadstone. Alternative buses were extended every half an hour to Corfe Mullen. Low floor, fully accessible vehicles were also normally used and these had replaced the aging step entrance buses that used to operate the 131 Service.
Members were advised that, in order to improve financial viability, Wilts and Dorset had developed a policy of simplifying routes and running fast, frequent and attractive bus services along the main corridors. This Strategy had been successful in encouraging passenger growth as well as an overall increase in patronage. As part of this Strategy, Service 4 was routed direct from Poole along Wimborne Road to Fleetsbridge. As such, the bus no longer served Sterte, Stanley Green Road or Vicarage Road.
Transportation Services recognised the need to retain at least a minimal level of bus service through both the Sterte and Stanley Green areas. The Council’s subsidised 128 Service from Poole to Upton Country Park was therefore diverted at short notice via these roads. This ensured that the majority of passengers still had access to a bus when the 131 Service was withdrawn.
The 128 Service currently operated 3 times each way per day. Although only running in the off peak, the journeys had been arranged to ensure that passengers were able to have either a half or almost a full day in Poole. In addition, the Service had also been re-routed via Fleetbridge Tesco to improve shopping opportunities.
Members were advised that the 128 Service continued to serve Rectory Road/Christopher Crescent and this had meant that it had not been possible to also serve Vicarage Road. Therefore, three bus stops currently remained without a bus service:-
- Vicarage Road (Oakdale Traffic Lights)
- Vicarage Road (Whitehorse Drive)
- Vicarage Road (opposite Whitehorse Drive)
Consultation with the Bus Company at the time indicated that passenger boardings at these locations were very low as most customers preferred to walk to the stop across Wimborne Road where a far greater choice of buses to Poole were available. For passengers unable to walk to Wimborne Road, the nearest stop for buses to Poole was now in Rectory Road for the 128 Service. This was approximately 120 metres from the former Whitehorse Drive.
Members were advised that for residents with mobility problems unable to walk to access the 128 Service, there were a number of community transport options available. These included Dial-a-Bus which operated a fully accessible door to door service to both Poole Dolphin Shopping Centre and Sainsburys. A voluntary car service for essential journeys was also available.
In conclusion, reference was made to the Route and Branch Review Group which the Council had established in order to monitor the performance of Poole’s contracted bus services. As part of this Group’s work, requests for additional services/improved frequencies would be considered and resources targeted appropriately. It was therefore being proposed that this request be added to the list of outstanding requests for consideration by the Review Group which was due to meet on 9 October 2007.
The Chairman then invited Mrs Boyd to address the Committee. Mrs Boyd had previously presented a Petition signed by 300 signatories to full Council.
Mrs Boyd commenced by thanking Members for giving her the opportunity to address the Advisory Group.
Mrs Boyd stated that the 128 Service to Tescos ran 3 times a day but this was only during weekdays and not at all at the weekends.
She referred to the 09:37 bus from Stanley Green Road which arrived at Tescos at 09:42 hours. Unfortunately, the return bus is then at 10:04 hours with only allows 22 minutes to shop. If residents did not catch this return bus, the next one was not until 13:04 hours, some 3 hours later.
She added that the old and inform were also finding it extremely difficult due to the increased distances and she advised Members that it was approximately 19 metres to cross Stanley Green Road and this was without the aid of any pedestrian crossing facilities.
With regard to the “Dial a Bus” Service, Mrs Boyd advised that she had called this Service on Monday and it had taken 15 Minutes to get through. On getting through, when trying to book for the next day (Tuesday) she was told that the bus was “full”. She added that such eventualities could prevent friends/family visiting the elderly which then had the knock on effect of “cutting them off” from society.
Mrs Boyd concluded by questioning whether or not there could be any scope to alter existing routes to act as “feeder” services to the areas that were currently without a service. In response to the quotes within the report that the new stop in Rectory Road for the 128 Service was approximately 120 metres from the former Whitehorse Drive, she stated that she had requested Transportation Services to advise her of this distance and it was more like 165 metres (to walk) with the referred to 120 metres being “point to point”.
A Member stated that these, and other problem areas had been known for some time now and raised a concern at the delay in the Route and Branch Review Group meeting. He added that he had seen a number of Shamrock buses around and about in Poole and questioned whether they had been approached regarding the possibility of “filling the gaps”. The Chairman stated that this would be explored further by the Route and Branch Review Group.
A Member reiterated the point that this Council could only seek to prime and influence as Wilts and Dorset Bus Company worked on a “commercial” basis. He added that one possible option could be to talk to the large local Supermarket chains with a view to them contributing towards the provision of services in the known problem areas.
A Member stated that whilst he agreed with the above comments, he felt that this Local Authority had a responsibility to meet the social needs of the community and he therefore felt that perhaps the Council should be looking towards a more flexible use of subsidies as he felt this approach would present the best way forward.
A Member advised that this Council spent approximately £2.5 Million a year on bus subsidies and Officers guided Members on the suggested routes to subsidise. He stated that the Council could not provide services “in competition” with others but he felt that the earlier suggestion of liaising with other potential providers was an extremely good idea and should therefore be pursued by the Route and Branch Review Group. He concluded by stating that it was crucial that the Council acted “fairly” in determining the service they subsidised.
A Member commented that he felt another priority area for the Route and Branch Review Group to consider should be the use of “feeder” buses that could be considered for re-directing off the main routes, to cover the priority problem areas that were currently without a bus service. In addition, he stated that he felt it was extremely important for “all” Members of the Council to have information on the work being undertaken by the Route and Branch Review Group so that they could feed any local comments and/or concerns that they had direct to the Members of this Review Group. This was supported and would be actioned accordingly.
At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs Jefferies addressed the Group regarding this matter.
Mrs Jefferies advised Members that she worked for the Local Authority as a Passenger Assistant and stated that she observed many buses travelling through the Parkstone/Poole areas but very little in and around the Whitehorse Drive, Oakdale area. She concluded by stating that she urged Members and the Route and Branch Review Group to do all that they could to improve bus services to and from these areas.
The Chairman of Age Concern (Poole) briefly addressed the Committee regarding this matter.
He stated that the distances being referred to in order to get to alternative bus stops were an extremely long way for the elderly and inform. He reiterated the earlier point made that the multi million pound Supermarkets should be approach with a view to them giving something back to the local community.
RECOMMENDED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to agree that the request for an improved service along Stanley Green Road and Vicarage Road be noted and added to the list of requests to be considered by the Route and Branch Review Group and that all Members be kept informed of the work undertaken and progress made by this Group.
For – Unanimous
TAG55.07CHRISTMAS SATURDAY CREEKMOOR PARK AND RIDE BUS SERVICE
John McVey, Passenger Transport and Accessibility Manager, presented a Report which considered the operation of a 2007 Christmas Park and Ride Service from Creekmoor.
Members were reminded that since Christmas 2003, Shamrock Buses had operated a Park and Ride Service on the four Saturdays prior to Christmas. Double Deckers had been used on a 15 minute frequency with a return fare of £1 being charged for adult passengers with up to 2 accompanied children travelling free. The Services had performed well and for the last 3 years had operated on a commercial basis with no financial support from the Council to the Bus Company.
Last Christmas, Shamrock Buses had intended to increase the fare charged to £1.25 (return). However, the Dolphin Shopping Centre agreed to sponsor the Service at 25p per passenger in order to retain the £1 fare.
For Christmas 2007, Shamrock Buses were keen to provide a service on the four Saturdays 1-22 December on a commercial basis. Members were provided with the proposed timetable (as last year) via an Appendix to the Report. The Dolphin Shopping Centre had been approached and had agreed to repeat last year’s subsidy arrangement which would mean that Shamrock Buses would repeat their £1 fare offer. However, recent discussions with Shamrock Buses had indicated that for this year, they wished to introduce a 50p fare for children.
In conclusion, Members were advised that the 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 additional there were signage and publicity costs and funding was available within the Car Parks Revenue Budget for the estimated cost of the operation of this Park and Ride Service.
Members expressed considerable concern at Shamrock Buses proposal for a 50p charge for children.
A Member commented that due to the increasing popularity of shopping during the January Sales, he felt that the Council should perhaps be more ambitious here and look towards supporting this Service on the Saturday after Christmas also. Therefore, he suggested that the Council considered “raising its sites” when considering proposals for next year.
In response to a question raised regarding what the position could be if the Council did not support Shamrock Buses request, John McVey, Passenger Transport and Accessibility Manager, advised that Shamrock Buses may withdraw their offer if the Council did not support their commercial request.
In view of Members’ concern regarding the proposed 50p child fare, John McVey, Transport Passenger and Accessibility Manager, advised that there would just about be sufficient time to put this Service out to tender should this be required. Therefore, with Members’ approval, he stated that he would be happy to approach Shamrock Buses in order to express this Group’s concern regarding their proposed 50p child fare. If, after these negotiations, Shamrock Buses were not minded to delete this fare, then the Service would be put out to tender with the results being submitted to the next meeting of this Advisory Group for a decision. This approach was supported.
In conclusion, a Member suggested that in order to try and avoid such eventualities occurring next year, it could be useful if Officers commence negotiations regarding this service earlier in the year. This was supported.
RECOMMENDED that the Portfolio Holder request:-
(i)Officers to approach Shamrock Buses to advise of Transportation Advisory Group’s concerns regarding their proposals to charge 50p (per child) and request that they delete this charge or look at other workable options (including increasing the Dolphin Shopping Centre contribution). If they agree to this, then the Portfolio Holder be given authority to sign this off as per the original request (with the child fare deleted). However, if the child fare remains, Officers be requested to put the Service out to tender with the results being submitted to the next meeting of this Advisory Group for a decision; and
(ii)Officers be requested to commence negotiations of this Service earlier in future years.
For:Unanimous
TAG56.07PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 NATIONAL CONCESSIONARY FARES SCHEME
John McVey, Passenger Transport and Accessibility Manager, presented a report which updated Members with the position relating to the appeals submitted by Wilts and Dorset Bus Company and Bournemouth Transport against the 2007/08 Connect Concessionary Fares Scheme. The Report also informed Members of the latest position with the 2008 Nationwide Concessionary Fares Scheme and considered which of the discretionary elements of the Connect Concessionary Fares Scheme should be continued from April 2008. The Report also sought Members’ support to investigate assistance for residents unable to use ordinary bus services.
Members were reminded that a Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council Joint Scrutiny Committee had met on 6 September 2007 to consider the issues contained within this Report. A Member stated that he was disappointed that this Council’s Route and Branch Review Group had not been able to meet prior to this Joint Scrutiny Committee.
Further detailed information was then provided to Members on the following areas:-
- Appeals against the Poole and Bournemouth “Connect” Concessionary Fares Scheme
- 2008 National Scheme
- Discretionary Connect Scheme Enhancements
- Alternative Travel Concessions to Bus Passes
RECOMMENDED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to agree that:-
(i)the position with regards to the Appeals against the 2007/08 Concessionary Fares Scheme be noted; and
(ii)the following considerations of the Joint Scrutiny Committee be approved:-
(a)the new passes for the 2008 Scheme be issued displaying a 5 year expiry date