Agenda item

Phil Lightowler (Head of Public Transport) was in virtual attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Brazier introduced the report, explaining that it detailed recent developments in the commercial bus industry and how KCC had confronted and mitigated the impact of commercial service withdrawals, through securing alternative services from other operators, which had ensured that a great number of children who otherwise would not have been able to get to school because of the actions of the commercial operators were able to.

2.    Mr Lightowler provided further detail of developments in the commercial bus market. He informed members that as a result of a reduction in government financial support and a requirement for operators to make councils aware of future services changes that KCC had been abreast of recent services changes. He highlighted a series of key developments which included: the impact of the pandemic, with passenger numbers failing to reach pre-pandemic levels and a 40% reduction in off peak numbers; lower use of the Kent Travel Saver and other discount passes; changing commuter patterns; significant engineering consumables and staff cost increases; and staff shortages which were not expected to be resolved in the near future with insufficient new manpower joining the industry. He reminded the committee that government financial support for commercial bus operators was planned to conclude in January 2023, which combined with the overall drop in revenue and increase in costs left the bus services in a vulnerable position. He warned members that further reductions in commercial services could occur without additional governance financial assistance.

3.    Mr Lewis moved and Ms Dawkins seconded a motion “that the Cabinet Committee recommend that the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport request officers to present a report to the Committee on the possibility of a scheme similar to Transport for Cornwall which could be replicated in Kent.”

4.    Mr Lewis highlighted the benefits of the bus and train services operating model adopted in Cornwall and mentioned that the rural nature of Cornwall, stating that this made the model replicable in Kent. He raised concerns at the current commercial operating model in Kent and commented that investigations should be undertaken into how ticket prices could be reduced in order to increase passenger numbers.

5.    Mr Brazier confirmed that he was aware of the operating model in Cornwall and had put it to Leader that BSIP funding should be used to adopt a similar strategy to that which Cornwall had formulated and funded with BSIP funding.

6.    Following assurance from Mr Brazier that a cross-party member group would be formed to investigate ways of funding and operating more effective, better value bus services, Mr Lewis withdrew his amendment.

7.    Mr Rayner asked what preparations were in place to ensure that residents would be given reasonable notice of any services changes ahead of the start of the 2023/24 academic year and how KCC’s BSIP allocation affect services. Mr Lightowler reassured members that Public Transport were working proactively to ensure that school bus services were protected and that any service changes are finalised by July 2023 at the latest. In relation to KCC’s BSIP allocation he confirmed that the Department for Transport were yet to finalise it and that Public Transport were in regular contact. Mr Jones noted that recent ministerial changes in the Department for Transport had delayed the timing of the allocation confirmation and that an update was expected in the following weeks.

8.    Mr Hills shared his concerns that going forward there was a risk that bus services would not be able to sufficiently service communities across Kent without government funding. He asked that member be regularly briefed on developments.

9.    Mrs Hudson asked that members be briefed on the BSIP allocation after the funding arrangements are agreed with the Department for Transport.

RESOLVED to note the report.