Purpose

To
seek the Cabinet Member's approval to spend from the Network North Bus Service
Improvement Plan allocation to help cover the costs of the existing local bus
service contracts.

To seek the Cabinet Member's approval to spend from the Network North Bus
Service Improvement Plan allocation to pay for improvements to eight bus
services identified in the report.

Decision

The
Cabinet Member:

 

1)
approved spending from the Network North Bus Service Improvement Plan
allocation to help cover the costs of the existing local bus service contracts.

2)
approved spending from the Network North Bus Service Improvement Plan
allocation to pay for additional improvements to further eight bus services
identified in the report.

Reasons for the decision

The proposals will
significantly improve passengers’ ability to access shopping, health care,
employment, educational and leisure opportunities across the County and will
support the objectives of Derbyshire’s ambitious BSIP.

 

Furthermore, use of public
transport reduces the number of private vehicles on the road and a positive
consequence of that is the reduction in CO2 emissions. With many people
becoming increasingly concerned for the wider environment, combined with the
rising costs to own, and run a private car, it is anticipated that many
travellers will be contemplating more sustainable travel options to benefit the
environment and their own living costs. It is therefore imperative that the
public have access to a transport network that works for them. 

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – Do nothing and not
use the additional Network North funding to help fund the existing supported
services contracts and the enhanced bus services proposals. This would go
against the proposals and objectives in the BSIP to improve links to
employment, education sites, hospitals, and other health service facilities, as
well as enhancing access to leisure and tourism opportunities. This option is
therefore not recommended.

 

Option 2 – Introduce the
service enhancements proposed using the Network North funding but not allocate
any of this funding to help pay for the existing supported service network. The
changes to the concessionary fares scheme and the potential increase in the
price of the TfGM cross-boundary services could result in additional costs
being introduced which the current supported service cannot fund. Enhancing new
services, while at the same time reducing the existing supported service
network to fit within the available funding, would not be in line with the BSIP
objectives and would likely result in considerable negative reaction from the
passenger on affected services. This option is therefore not recommended.   

 

Option 3 - Introduce the
service enhancement improvements set out in the report and provide the funding
to help cover the cost of the Council’s supported bus network in 2024-25 and
any potential increase in costs. This would improve communities across the
County’s ability to access employment and education opportunities, health
service facilities and leisure and tourism sites. This option is
recommended.