Local Transport Plan Delivery, Bus & Merseytram Committee. 10 April Councillor R Abbey, Chair Councillor G Friel, Deputy Chair

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1 Local Transport Plan Delivery, Bus & Merseytram Committee 10 April 2012 Present: Councillor R Abbey, Chair Councillor G Friel, Deputy Chair Councillors S Glover, K McGlashan, M Rasmussen, L Rowlands, J Salter, P Walton, C Blakeley and A Makinson Also Attended Mr H Farrall -Arriva Mr P Stone -Arriva Mr L Burton -Stagecoach Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors J Dodd, B Griffiths, J Hanson, A Dean and M Dowd 40. Minutes of the Last Meeting Resolved that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 February 2012 be approved as a correct record. 41. Passenger Focus Bus Passenger Survey Autumn 2011 (DIT/34/12) Integrated Transport regarding the Passenger Focus Bus Passenger Survey Autumn Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.

2 42. Understanding Transport and Social Inclusion (DIT/27/12) Integrated Transport regarding a successful proposal from the Transport Studies Unit (TSU) at Oxford University, which had received funding from the Economic Social Research Council (ESRC), to seek to develop a transport model which encompassed the qualitative social dimensions of transport disadvantage. The timescale for the project was two years from January December Merseytravel was supporting the project with internal contributions in kind and was in the process of making its accessibility planning available. Resolved that:- (a) (b) the proposed research with Oxford University regarding Transport and Social Inclusion be supported; and updates on progress over the lifetime of the project be received. 43. Future of Road Safety Camera Enforcement (DIT/28/12) Integrated Transport regarding approval to use LTP Integrated Transport Block Funding for the phased replacement of the road safety cameras across Merseyside, noting that much of the equipment had reached the end of its serviceable life. Resolved that subject to approval of the Strategy and Finance Committee, the allocation of 250k per annum, from the Integrated Transport Block, over 3 years, for the phased replacement of the road safety cameras across Merseyside be approved.

3 44. Better Bus Area Fund Approval of the Merseyside Bid (DIT/32/12) Integrated Transport regarding the successful bid for funding from the Department for Transports (DfT s) Better Bus Areas Fund and noting the success of Arriva Merseyside in receiving 1.3m from the DfT Green Bus Fund. Merseytravel was successful in receiving the full 4.2m it bid for, which would provide valuable capital and revenue funding over the next two years. A requirement of the full funding was that progress updates be posted on the web site at least every 6 months. The Chair, Councillor R Abbey, thanked the bid writing team. It was a magnificent piece of work and indicative of how well Merseytravel was doing. Resolved that, subject to noting by the Strategy and Finance Committee:- (a) (b) Merseytravel s success in securing 4.2m of Government Funding from the Better Bus Areas Fund be noted; and further updates on the progress of the implementation of the proposed measures be submitted to the Committee at appropriate times. 45. Cycling Update and Report on Issues (DIT/16/12) Integrated Transport regarding an update on cycle training. Good feedback had been received regarding the training which contributed towards having safer cyclists on the roads, together with other interventions i.e. web and paper based advice, maps showing good cycle routes and marketing campaigns. The Chair, Councillor R Abbey, thanked officers for the work done to promote safer cycling and Councillor M

4 Rasmussen gave thanks for the full Equality Impact Assessment. Resolved that subject to noting by the Strategy and Finance Committee, (with regard to the contribution by Merseytravel of 44k), the contents of the report be noted and the continuing activities of the Merseyside Transport Partnership to promote cycling and improve safety be endorsed. 46. Exclusion of the Press and Public Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. The Public Interest Test has been applied and favours exclusion of the information from the press and public. 47. Discussion with Representatives of the Bus Operators. The Committee discussed the operation of bus services and ancillary issues arising therefrom with representatives of bus operators in Merseyside, Messrs H Farrall, P Stone (Arriva) and L Burton (Stagecoach). Mr P Stone reported that Arriva Merseyside was successfully awarded funding for 33 Volvo hybrid buses, which would be used on the cross river services. There were 3 hotspots regarding air quality in the city centre including both tunnel entrances/exits. Introduction of the hybrid buses and reduced emissions would play a part in improving air quality. The Chair, Councillor R Abbey congratulated Arriva on the winning bid. Councillor R Abbey referred to the consistently late running of the 403, 413 and 423 Wirral services requesting that this be looked at.

5 Councillor M Rasmussen raised an issue of the 82 Speke services which often bunched on Speke Boulevard leaving a gap of 15/20 minutes for the next service. Councillor C Blakely recorded his groups absolute disgust at the decision by Arriva to raise child fares because of the reduction in Bus Services Operators Grant (BSOG). He commented that Arriva should be considering its role in the community rather than profiteering. Mr P Stone indicated that he had responded to a previous letter about this and explained that fuel costs for Arriva had risen by 6.5m and BSOG had reduced by 2.7m. Arriva had purchased its fuel for the following year at a significantly greater cost. Four/five years earlier, fuel cost 8m per annum but was now 28m. Arriva had absorbed this increase and continued to invest heavily in new vehicles. Merseytravel previously subsidised child fares but had since withdrawn the subsidy. Arriva had absorbed the cost of this in the past but could not do so now. Other major cities in the country charged two thirds of adult fares for children. Arriva were not profiteering. Councillor R Abbey commented that Merseytravel had taken the decision that the commercial operator should subsidise child fares and not the taxpayer. Councillor A Makinson asked if there was any further information regarding the proposal by Peel Airports Limited to introduce departure charges from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The Director of Integrated Transport indicated that Merseytravel was meeting with Peel Airports Limited and would enforce the request for charges not to be introduced. Councillor P Walton referred to a lack of space on the 81 bus services from Old Swan to Queens Drive, which were filled with school children and requested that additional buses or double deckers be put on the route. Mr H Farrall indicated that the route would be surveyed. Councillor K McGlashan reported that the Knowsley Youth Parliament election took place 11 April 2012 and each of the four candidates had raised the issue of bus fares for young people. Councillor G Friel commented that he was disappointed with the decision by Arriva to raise child fares and he understood the economic impact but it was about social responsibility.

6 The Chair thanked the representatives of the bus operators for attending the meeting and for their input. CHAIR