Purpose

To seek approval for the delivery of a
Christmas public transport travel offer.  This scheme will provide a free bus and tram day
ticket for travel which will be available from the 1st December 2023.

Content

(a)      To
authorise the use of £56,050 (from in-year bus gate income
and festive buses budget) to fund the acquisition of 10,000
TravelMaster CityWide Bus and Tram day
travel tickets.
 

(b)      To
authorise the release of the tickets via the BetterPoints app to support sustainable travel and
reduced impacts of congestion during December 2023.

Reasons for the decision

The purpose of this proposal is to fund a
scheme that provides a free day's travel for up to 10,000 people
during the festive period. This activity is designed to support and
encourage people to visit the hospitality and retail offer being
provided in the City Centre during what is a crucial trading period
for businesses and to do so using sustainable public transport.
 
The option being delivered is
has been designed to:

·       
Seek to increase footfall to support the Christmas
retail and hospitality offer.

·       
Promote access to, and use of, sustainable
transport.

·       
Reduce congestion within the City Centre at a time
where there would be significant demand as a
result of Christmas festivities. 

Alternative options considered

Several options have been considered.

·       
A – Supply of tickets for pick up at a Council site, e.g.
Moor Markets / FirstPoint etc – Rejected but used for those
without digital access.

·       
B – The use of the Better Points app to support distribution
of tickets – Approved.

·       
C – Do nothing – Rejected.