Issue details

Approval of criteria for prioritisation of Supported Bus Services - 11/01813

 

 

KCC currently commits around £6.4m (net) to supporting local bus services which are not provided commercially. These are largely catering for people living in rural areas and to enable services to operate in the evenings and at weekends.

Approval is sought to update the criteria through which KCC prioritises spending on Supported Bus Services based on access to work, learning, healthcare and essential food shopping, days of operation and cost per passenger journey. These criteria will be used to determine support in the event of a commercial bus service being deregistered or notice being given by an operator of an existing subsidised bus service as well as to prioritise support should there be a reduction in KCC funding for bus services.

Each year around 25% of supported bus contracts are retendered to ensure value for money through competitive tendering. Approval is sought of the proposed awards of tenders commencing on 1 April 2012.

Decision type: Key

Decision status: Implemented

Decision due: Not before 21st Feb 2012 by Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste

Department: Growth, Environment & Transport

Contact: Stephen Gasche, Rail Project Manager Email: stephen.gasche@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 221995.

Consultation process

N/a

Consultees

Informing Only:

Who and when?

 

KCC Members as well as District and Parish Councils would be consulted in the event of a proposal to withdraw funding of lower priority KCC supported services in their area.  Passengers would be consulted via on-bus notices.

 

With regard to the annual award of tenders, bus operators will be informed by 10 February 2012 to give 50 days notice of award of contract.

 

Who is it necessary to consult?

As above as a consequence of this Key Decision.

 

Has the matter already been discussed by a Policy, Overview and Scrutiny Committee?

A report updating the proposed criteria for prioritisation of Supported Bus Services was discussed by Environment, Highways & Waste POSC on 22 Nov 2011.  The recommendations to the Cabinet Member were endorsed.  It has also been considered by and has the support of the Finance Working Group to this Committee

 

Is the matter referred to in your Business Plan or Medium Term Capital Programme?

Both

 

Closing date for consultation/receiving comments:

31 December 2011 (return of tenders by bus operators) 

 

Financial implications: Stephen Gasche, Transport and Safety Policy Team, KCC – Highways and Transportation 01622 221995 stephen.gasche@kent.gov.uk

Legal implications: 11/01813

Equalities implications: Need to meet budget targets in Medium Term Financial Plan for supported bus services

Documents