Agenda item

The Committee considered a report on the impacts on the bus network changes recently introduced by First Bus Berkshire.  Managing Director First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire, Marc Reddy, and General Manager, Simon Goff, joined the meeting and explained the rationale for the changes.

The Committee was informed that:

·  The network changes had been introduced in September with the aim of making the public transport network more ‘robust’ and to increase reliability.

·  Punctuality, stated as the top priority of bus users, had increased from 80% to 91% since the changes were introduced.

·  A two-way radio system had been implemented to aid communication to better react to problems on the network to improve operational performance.

·  Some adjustments to the services had been made in early December following feedback from the public.

·  Further analysis of the changes would continue and services refined in light of the evidence.

Members expressed a number of concerns that had been raised by residents and service users about the network changes including the fact that the reduction in through services meant passengers had to change buses far more frequently, which negated punctuality improvements.  The lack of consultation with residents on the specific service changes and the impact on disabled bus users were also highlighted.  In response, the First Bus representatives responded by stating that the changes were designed to improve services, that fares had not risen and the importance of working in partnership with the Council to promote public transport was crucial.

Councillors Brooker, Plenty and Amarpreet Dhaliwal addressed the committee under Rule 30, asking about the prior consultation with the Council on the changes and commenting on specific local concerns in Langley.  Mr Reddy stated that First worked in consultation with the Council Officers and their comments, and the feedback of passengers, was taken seriously.  Councillor Dhaliwal commented that the changes made public transport less attractive and asked about occupancy rates on buses.  Detailed information could not be shared due to commercial confidentiality but First assured Members that they were committed to attracting as many people as possible to use their bus services.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Members noted the report and thanked Mr Reddy and Mr Goff for attending the Committee.

Resolved –   That the factors that have collectively contributed to the resulting issues since introducing the bus network changes in September 2016 be noted.