Welcoming representatives from Stagecoach and Devon County Council for specific discussion around the following points:-
· How do Devon County Council and Stagecoach design bus routes?
· Can Exeter City Council play a role in that?
· Bus routes between the City and the Quay.
Minutes:
Robert Williams, Commercial Director from Stagecoach and John Richardson-Dawes, Team Leader, Integrated Public Transport, Devon County Council attended the meeting for specific discussion around the following points -
· Devon County Council and Stagecoach design of bus routes
· How Exeter City Council could play a role in that
· Bus routes between the City and the Quay
John Richardson-Dawes, discussed the design of the bus routes, stating they had been designed around the Transport Act 1985 which provided commercial freedom for bus companies to establish bus services. Devon County Council could not object to an approved bus service route by the Traffic Commissioner and commercially provided services had to be left alone. He confirmed that Stagecoach was not commercially viable for all day services despite functioning as an all-day service.
He provided an overview of decisions made at Devon County Council and how bus services could be lost following consultation and that maintaining contact with Devon County Council was important. Although fare increases and subsidy had increased bus patronage by 42% since 2002 there were still significant funding issues to the maintenance of bus links.
Robert Williams explained that the bus service was a local business that responded to the local market to maximise its patronage for running costs and was focussed on growing the number of people using the service to determine the next stage of service development. Stagecoach were happy to continue working with Exeter City Council but there were funding limitations.
John Richardson-Dawes and Robert Williams discussed the Quay and City routes, explaining that bus route G was dependent on an annual £17,000 subsidy from Devon County Council. 80% of the bus users held free bus passes, making support difficult because of cost. They highlighted the Green Park and Ride service, which connected to the Quay, running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday. There was a need to develop links to the quay with ongoing discussions with Exeter BID to establish a viable option and were keen to work with Exeter City Council and local residents.
Councillor Musgrave attended the meeting under Standing Order 44. He informed that there were a number of housing developments in and around the Alphington Ward, with a proposed bus route on a protected country lane causing concern for residents. He asked what Devon County Council and Stagecoach could do to support the residents.
John Richardson-Dawes and Robert Williams explained that, although there was a bus service funded through the planned housing developments there were currently no confirmed proposals for funding arrangements and emphasised, that if a route was not suitable then it would not be used.
In response to Members’ enquiries John Richardson-Dawes and Robert Williams responded:-
· They would be happy to engage with Councillors and residents to discuss issues with bus service in Duryard and St James Ward. They agreed to liaise with the Chair to establish a co-ordinator to setup up a meeting;
· They were aware bus users were elderly and take their wellbeing into consideration with 100% accessibility on buses. Where some users couldn’t use a bus, there were community services available;
· Stagecoach worked in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon County Council and residents to review bus stops. They rely on resident feedback to see which bus stops work and following a Members’ suggestion would look at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital bus stop;
· The Transport Act 1985 introduced deregulation across the UK, except in London which were specified as a franchise. The Bus Service Act 2017 would extend the London Model to other authorities. The Secretary of State of Transport could also extend this beyond authorities with Elected Mayors of Combined Authorities to cover a wider range;
· Bus companies require additional funding for franchising, with alternative methods operating in different areas such as Cornwall. The Bus Service Act 2017 had enhanced partnership working between local authorities and bus companies;
· The Monkerton Housing development was looking at bus service routes to the area. More information would made available following further development of the estate. Devon County Council in the meantime were looking to extend two bus services from Spring 2018;
· Both Stagecoach and Devon County Council had agreed to trial a Quayside bus service during the summer period running beyond 3:30pm to their operational agenda, to assess costs and options. They considered that partnership working with local authorities and Exeter BID was the best solution and would be happy to attend a meeting with the Chair.
The Chair thanked the guest speakers for their attendance.