Lead Member – Councillor S Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Car Parking

Report of Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow, 01743 258916

RESOLVED:

          Local Bus Services

         i.          To not implement the reduction or removal of services as consulted, but where the consultation feedback has highlighted genuine efficiencies or cost pressures those will be focussed upon.  

       ii.          To amend the Council’s 2019/20 budget and reduce the planned reduction in the public transport budget from £405,000 to £180,000.

2.2     Shrewsbury Park & Ride

         i.          To approve the proposal as consulted upon on Shrewsbury Park & Ride fare increase from £1.60 to £2.00 return.

       ii.          To remove the Shrewsbury Park & Ride group ticket option, which currently allows up to 5 passengers to travel for the price of £2.50 (return).

      iii.          To refer the matter of the removal of the discretionary discount for concessionary fares on Shrewsbury Park and Ride to Scrutiny for consideration, along with consideration of a Family Ticket offer. 

     iv.          To agree the proposed changes to Park & Ride become effective from 1 September 2019  

2.3     Future Public Transport Services

i.                 To commence a review of the current operation and future opportunities for, improved public transport services across Shropshire, including reviewing concessionary travel and the opportunities for bus franchising.

In introducing the report of the Director of Place, the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Car Parking thanked the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Transport for his hard work on bus transport issues and emphasised the need to start thinking differently in the future.

The Deputy Portfolio Holder reported that there had been 956 responses to the six week consultation on the proposals to reduce the Council’s expenditure on the local bus services it subsidised and the Shrewsbury Park and Ride Service.  The responses had highlighted the reliance on bus services for people in Shropshire in undertaking their daily lives, particularly the elderly, those with a disability, young people and families on low incomes.  

The report before Council had taken account of the consultation responses and it was now proposed not to reduce or remove services, but to focus on where genuine efficiencies or cost pressures could be focused on.  This meant the full savings reduction of £405,000 would not be achieved and would be reduced to £180,000. 

A number of Members of the Council addressed the Cabinet and welcomed the news that services would not be reduced or removed.  They highlighted issues raised in their electoral divisions in relation to social isolation, access to education and employment and the economy.  Members also raised issues around recording of bus pass useage, and equitable access to bus passes that covered 7 day a week travel.  Members also highlighted the need for a sustainable transport system and use of environmentally friendly vehicles. 

Members also spoke in relation to the Shrewsbury Park and Ride, the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, the funding made available to community transport groups.    

Responding to comments, the Portfolio Holder and Leader reiterated the desire to be more efficient rather than implement cuts and highlighted the opportunities presented by the developing Rural and Community Strategy and in the area of climate change and carbon reduction which would help shape and influence future transport policy.

An amendment was proposed and agreed so that the Park and Ride proposals to remove the concessionary discount be referred to a Task and finish Group for further consideration, along with

consideration of a family discount offer.

RESOLVED:

          Local Bus Services

         i.          To not implement the reduction or removal of services as consulted, but where the consultation feedback has highlighted genuine efficiencies or cost pressures those will be focussed upon.  

       ii.          To amend the Council’s 2019/20 budget and reduce the planned reduction in the public transport budget from £405,000 to £180,000.

2.2     Shrewsbury Park & Ride

         i.          To approve the proposal as consulted upon on Shrewsbury Park & Ride fare increase from £1.60 to £2.00 return.

       ii.          To remove the Shrewsbury Park & Ride group ticket option, which currently allows up to 5 passengers to travel for the price of £2.50 (return).

      iii.          To refer the matter of the removal of the discretionary discount for concessionary fares on Shrewsbury Park and Ride to Scrutiny for consideration, along with consideration of a Family Ticket offer. 

     iv.          To agree the proposed changes to Park & Ride become effective from 1 September 2019  

2.3     Future Public Transport Services

i.                 To commence a review of the current operation and future opportunities for, improved public transport services across Shropshire, including reviewing concessionary travel and the opportunities for bus franchising.