Purpose

This decision is regarding the
future of bus service 14 which serves the Gippeswyk Park area of Ipswich and is operated
under contract to the Council. 
 
The Portfolio Holder is
requested to approve the award of a new contract for the operation
of the service to Simonds of Botesdale
from April 2025 to January 2027.

Decision

To
enter into a service subsidy agreement for the operation of bus
service 14 with Simonds of Botesdale
for the period from Monday 7th April 2025 to Saturday
2nd January 2027 inclusive at a rate of £254.46
per day of operation.
 
Reasons: To ensure that
affected residents continue to have a bus service and as this was
the best price for the continued operation of the service from
those submitted in response to a competitive tendering
exercise.  The ongoing provision of
service subsidies in respect of Service 14 is
considered to be justified given the current level of
passenger usage, especially as a high percentage are elderly or
have a disability, and as there is currently sufficient funding
available from surpluses accrued from the Cromwell Square on-street
parking place.