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Review of subsidised bus services
Published: 14/01/2016
天涯社区s Cabinet at its meeting on 19 January is to debate
the outcome of subsidised bus services that was approved by the Council鈥檚
Cabinet in May 2015.
The Council currently spends 拢1,046,180 on subsidised bus services, providing
support for around 30 bus routes, either through specific contracts or
subsidising commercial bus operators for routes which would not be economically
viable. Typically these are rural, early morning, evening, Sunday, Bank
Holiday, some school transport services, along with services to areas such as
certain villages, housing estates or employment sites where services would not
otherwise run.
A review of these existing subsidised services has identified a number of
routes that are poorly used and are no longer sustainable.
Under this review it is proposed to withdraw funding from these under-utilised,
subsidised bus routes and create an efficient and effective core network of bus
routes along the length of which a number of transportation 鈥檋ubs鈥� would be
established.
Working with Town & Community Councils, local communities, businesses and
volunteer organisations the Council will support the enhancement and
development of community based transport schemes that will provide local
communities with links into the core network via the transportation 鈥榟ubs鈥�.
Cabinet will consider and debate the core network of bus routes, the phased
withdrawal of subsidised journeys and the Council鈥檚 proposals to engage with
local communities in the development of community transport schemes, along with
the views and opinions expressed by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny
Committee at its meeting on 13 January.
Councillor Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment
said:
鈥淭he establishment of a core network of bus routes across the County is an
important factor in supporting economic growth and for health and social
well-being.
鈥淲ith the current and continuing financial challenges facing the County it is
important that any subsidy provided by the Council is affordable, sustainable
and provides value for money.
鈥淒uring the 鈥楾his is our Moment鈥� public engagement sessions held at the end of
last year it was heartening to hear local people and community groups
expressing their interest in getting involved to help save services that matter
to them and also raising concerns about the cost of subsidised bus services
operating with very few passengers using them. We are now keen to build on
that enthusiasm and are committed to working with local communities to help
make things happen.鈥�