BOROUGH OF POOLE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – THURSDAY 10 MARCH 2005
REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ON THE PLUSBUS INTEGRATED BUS AND RAIL TICKET
1.Purpose and Policy Context
1.1To offer Members information regarding the PLUSBUS scheme and to recommend that the Borough of Poole offers its support.
1.2PLUSBUS offers a national integrated bus and rail ticket. The introduction of the scheme in the conurbation contributes to the objectives of the Transportation Strategy and the Local Transport Plan.
2. recommendations
1.1It is recommended that Members:
(a)Welcome the extension of the PLUSBUS scheme to incorporate stations in the conurbation and specifically Poole and Branksome Stations
(b)Support the proposal for the Borough to act as Local Scheme Manager
(c)Agree to contribute the required sum of £1,033 from the 2004/5 Bus Subsidy budget
3. Information
1.1Working together as “Journey Solutions”, the country’s principal bus and rail operators launched PLUSBUS, the first national integrated bus and rail ticket in 2002. PLUSBUS is part of a vision to deliver seamless journeys helping to make public transport an attractive and convenient choice.
1.2PLUSBUS is based on rail industry ticketing and offers unlimited bus travel in a defined area as an “add-on” to rail passengers. It is an add-on option (typically £1.00-2.00) to single and return rail tickets starting and/or finishing at any station on the availability list entitling passengers to unlimited local bus travel within a specified zone at the destination and/or origin end of the rail journey on specified dates. The ticket is not valid for journeys wholly within the PLUSBUS area.
1.3PLUSBUS tickets are sold by railway stations and railway ticket agents who then pass the revenue from the PLUSBUS tickets sold (less 9% commission) to the members of the scheme. This is done through a Local Scheme Manager. Members of the scheme would then be paid by the Local Scheme Manager, according to a locally agreed formula reflecting actual use of the PLUSBUS tickets.
1.4This would mean that a passenger travelling from, for example, London to Poole by train could ask for a PLUSBUS add-on ticket and enjoy unlimited travel on bus services for that day in a designated zone around the conurbation for an agreed price.
1.5The Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch conurbation is one of the few remaining areas not to offer the PLUSBUS scheme. At present there is a more limited Poole BusLink scheme valid only on Wilts & Dorset Buses and a Bournemouth BusLink scheme valid only on Bournemouth Transport (Yellow Buses). In order to be PLUSBUS compliant, the tickets must be accepted on at least 70% of the bus network, and on 90% of journeys passing close to stations.
1.6Wilts & Dorset Bus Company have undertaken the initial work to set up a PLUSBUS scheme for the conurbation. However, it is appropriate that a local authority rather than one of the participating operators handle the reimbursement. This would also satisfy the requirements of the Competition Act 1998.
1.7It is suggested that the Borough of Poole act as the Local Scheme Manager. This could operate alongside the reimbursement arrangements for the “Connect” concessionary fares scheme currently managed by the authority.
1.8There is a cost involved in setting up the scheme and this is to cover high quality promotional material including posters at railway stations. Journey Solutions require £850 per scheme based on one station, plus £450 per additional station. It is suggested that in the first instance, the scheme would include Poole and Branksome railway stations as these offer the greatest opportunity for rail-bus interchange. This would be in addition to Bournemouth and Christchurch stations. The cost to the Borough would be £1,033 which could be funded from the 2004/5 Bus Subsidy budget.
1.9Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council have agreed in principle to participate in the scheme and meet their share of the costs. Bournemouth Transport has also agreed to participate subject to satisfactory reimbursement arrangements being made. Wilts & Dorset are awaiting responses from the other bus operators that have been invited to participate.
1.10A meeting will be convened as soon as possible to set the add-on fare level and agree the detailed reimbursement arrangements.
JAMES T BRIGHT
Head of Transportation Services
Background Information
website
Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact
John McVey (01202) 262221
10 February 2005
TAG100305T3B
Please note: appendices to this report are not available electronically – please contact Democratic Services on 01202 633026
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