Issue - meetings

The West of England Partnership has been successful in being awarded £5m DfT Better Bus Area Grant. The package of measures funded by the Better Bus Area Grant will be used to improve the reliability and quality of services in the sub region.

David Redgewell in an ad hoc statement asked the Cabinet for assurances about accessible buses.  He reminded Cabinet of a number of authorities which had achieved 100% accessible buses and asked how long the Council would hang on to its old buses.  Since the Council had pioneered quality partnerships, why had it not worked with First to ensure DDA compliance?  He stressed that in all of its contracts the Council should insist on the use of low floor buses.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement expressed concern that First Bus had recently cut services further.  The Council should be working to increase the number of people served by buses, but the proposals were only enhancing existing routes instead of expanding services.

Councillor Paul Crossley in proposing the item, agreed that there must be a clear aim to work towards having all low floor buses.  He said however that if the alternative was to have no bus at all, that was not a desirable option.  He stressed that the Council would not allow itself to become dependent on one large service provider and would continue to work with the smaller providers.  The approach would be to secure the grant funding and then continue to improve.

Councillor David Dixon in seconding the proposal said that he agreed that it was important to move towards accessible buses.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ACCEPT the Better Bus Area Grant funding to:

(a) Upgrade bus stops on A431 Kelston Road;

(b) Expand Real Time Information; and

(c) Promote multi-operator ticketing scheme.