Agenda item

The Passenger Transport Manager introduced the White Paper: Improving Public Transport with opportunity for consultation.  The consultation questions were explained and feedback invited as follows.  Comments will also be accepted by the end of the month and will be added into the response.

 

Bus Services and Joint Transport Authorities:

Question 1: Do you agree that it is important for local authorities to work together with regard to local bus services?

·         It was explained that the authority works regionally with the Cardiff Capital Regional Transport Authority but there are no national standards or information. 

·         It is essential for local authorities to work together in the planning and operation of local bus services as many services cross into other authorities, and cross border. 

·         A regional standard for bus infrastructure, operating standards and public transport information would all be of benefit to authorities and service users.

·         Provision and commissioning of local bus services requires standard terms and conditions.  There is a regional quality standard in South East Wales that all bus operators have to adhere to but this is not the case for all Wales.

·         It is easier for bus service operators to work on a regional basis for administrative purposes e.g. concessionary fares.

·         Staff resources are limited in authorities, sharing services and not duplicate activities would be a benefit.

 

Question 2. Please provide comments on the proposed organisational structures; preferred option and why?

·         A national joint transport authority, if formed, would be responsible for setting policy, legislation, funding levels, setting infrastructure standards, contract standards, quality bus partnerships, possible franchising and provision of information and ticketing for all Wales.  The Board would consist of Officers and local authority Member representatives.  Welsh Government want Ministers running the Board which could cause conflict of interest.  To avoid Ministers’ involvement in operational matters, there must be a clearly defined structure.

·         It was questioned if three regional transport authorities was sufficient.  In the Autumn there will be another white paper on regional transport authorities focussing on operational functions to deliver local transport.  There is confusion on the functions and powers for the regional transport authorities. As well as buses, school buses, community transport etc. have to be taken into account; also how many functions stay with the local authority.

 

Question 3. Is there another organisational structure for JTAs to consider?

·         SE Wales is the most populated area and we should question our level of influence on the running of operations, monies and duties, as the largest rural authority in the region.

 

Question 4. Comments on the proposal that Welsh Ministers should be represented on JTA?

·         Comments were invited on the possible options.

 

Question 5: Comments on Welsh Ministers being able to issue guidance and directions, and to intervene where a JTA is failing to exercise its functions effectively?

 

·         Guidance, directions and interventions within a framework would be welcomed.

 

Question 6. Is the proposed division of national and regional functions appropriate?

·         This depends on the division of functions between strategic and operational, national and regional.

 

Question 7:  Should any other transport functions be transferred to JTAs?

·         Regional transport strategies, air quality, freight, air, health transport, school transport, active travel and community transport.

 

Question 8: Is legislation required to secure benefits of enhanced partnership working? 

·         There are current powers to establish voluntary bus partnerships or quality bus partnerships.  Few authorities have implemented these. Partnerships are needed with operators and authorities have to tackle congestion and unfit infrastructure. 

 

Question 9: Do you agree to the proposals for EQPs, in particular the process for their development?

·         Agree with principle but remains to be seen if they will work.

 

Question 10: Is the proposed scheme a more workable option for franchising local bus services?

·         Franchising has huge costs, especially to include rural areas. 

 

Question 11: Should the assessment be subject to independent audit?

·         Agreed.

 

Question 12: Other comments on franchising?

·         Franchising might work in some areas if the market is failing in any area.

 

Question 13: Comments about permits where there is franchising?

·         This would depend on circumstances.

 

Question 14: Impact on SME?

·         Important not to disenfranchise small operators.  Small and medium size operators still need opportunities to engage in the market.

 

Question 15: Transitional arrangements?

·         If franchising is decided, potentially some operators might leave the market.

 

Question 16:  Should the local authority be able to run bus services directly?

·         Depends on the circumstances, operators and resources available. 

 

Question 17: Should local authorities be able to set up arms’ length companies to operate local bus services?

·         Some are not competing with commercial operators because of resources, terms and conditions.

 

Question 18: Concessionary fares, proposal to align entitlement with a woman’s pensionable age?

 

·         Moving from 60 to 66 free bus pass.  Is this affordable?  This may be a way of finding funding to make changes.

 

Question 19: Is incremental change most appropriate?

·         Proposal possibly to move year on year.

 

Question 20: Do you agree with the proposal to require the release of open data on routes, timetables, fares and tickets?

·         If the data is usable, it can be collated easily.  There has been difficulty obtaining data from operators in the past. 

 

Question 21:

·         Should local authorities be enabled to obtain information on services to be cancelled or varied, and where appropriate disclose the information as part of the tendering process?

 

·         Yes, this would be needed if we take over commercial services.

 

Members of the Group were asked to send any comments about taxi services to the Licensing Department. 

 

Following consideration of the above questions, comments were raised as below:

·         A Group Member observed, with concern, that a noticeable omission from the paper was that there was no involvement from passengers or customers.

·         Considering the Minister’s vision particularly regarding integrated transport, it was noted that there was no reference to active travel.

·         It was commented that there was no mention of cross border services.