Decision details

This report outlines the requirement to replace the existing Passenger Transport fleet vehicles. Passenger Transport runs vehicles to support Home to School, SEND transport and Social Services transport requirements, operating Bath dial-a-ride.

The Cabinet Member for Transport approved the commencement of the procurement of replacement vehicles by:

(1)  granting full approval of £180k capital budget expenditure in financial year 2016/17 to replace 2 vehicles as specified below and;

(2)  granting full approval of £360k capital budget expenditure  in financial year 2017/18 to replace a further 4 vehicles as specified below.

(3)  Agree that future year requests will return for further approval as exact vehicle specifications are decided in light of service changes under the Strategic Review.

The Council has a statutory duty to provide transport for children if they meet various criteria including distance from school, hazardous routes and special educational needs. Statutory considerations include the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the Equality Act 2010. The type of transport and manner of the transport is not defined but must be suitable.

A child is entitled to free transport if they can’t walk to school because of their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem. It doesn’t matter how far away they live.

The passenger transport buses and minibuses were last replaced six years ago.  However, as at the time the funding available was not of a level to replace all vehicles so some older vehicles are still retained within the fleet, causing some service delivery issues as they become older and more unreliable. 

The need for transporting the entitled pupils is set out within statute. The Lack of alternative solutions due to the scarcity of accessible vehicles within the private sector increases the risk of the Council failing to meet its statutory duties. Where suitable vehicles are available via contractors in the open market, the cost is currently restrictive.

Failure to provide the transport as required would leave the Council at risk of significant Central Government interest and censure and reputational damage as well as negative press locally. The educational development of the entitled pupils will be affected if the inability to provide transport is for an extended period.

• Keep maintaining the existing fleet – This was rejected as Fleet Services charge additional management costs on over-age vehicles.  As well as the higher maintenance and running costs on older vehicles there is an increased risk of break down and associated service failure resulting in the Council failing to meet its statutory duties.
• Hiring vehicles – This was rejected as the Council has a position of owning vehicles rather than hiring as owning vehicles is more cost effective in the long run.
• Contract (outsource) work to commercial operators – This option has been rejected as there is a lack of availability in the market which results in high costs of appointing commercial operators for accessible vehicles.
• Procure Electric/hybrid powered vehicles – This option has been rejected at this time as currently, the cost differential between diesel and electric buses is too high for this to be a realistic option.  However, moving forward, as technology improves and prices reduce, this may be considered for future vehicle replacements as part of the rolling programme. Consideration will be given to using any other funding streams that may become available to offset the costs including funding from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles.
• Procure Gas powered vehicles – There is an industrial gas main at Locksbrook Road, but we would have to build a filling station in the work shop at a cost of approximately £175,000.  The buses currently available are manufactured by M.A.N. and are reliable, however the smallest bus is 12 metres long, costs approximately £250,000 and would be too big for many of our rural locations.  Therefore due to the prices and possible installation costs, this option is not considered.