Issue - decisions

(1)  To note the assessment of the tender returns as set out within Exempt Appendix 1 of the report.

(2)  To consider fully the charging options as part of the contract award process and give delegation to the Director of Place Management to agree with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to;

Award the contract to the preferred bidder on a gross cost basis with the following contract specification but with a clear understanding of sustained service improvements as patronage increases:

a)  At commencement of the contract fares to be set at £3.60 per return adult fare on all days (rather than £3.60 Monday-Friday and £3.00 weekends as set currently);

b)  All group ticket options currently available to be maintained and;

c)  At commencement of the contract that the hours of operation to match the current service provision.

(3)  To agree that the service financial model will be reviewed at 6 monthly intervals to compare the actual income against the model and, subject to income levels reaching necessary gateway levels;

a)Invest the additional income in increased service provision such as extended hours of operation and/or;

b)  Reduce the fares charged for the Park & Ride service and/or;

c)  Invest in improvements on the Park & Ride sites to improve the customer experience.

(4)  To note the additional costs for the service against the agreed Council budget for the service and the mitigation plan as set out within 5.10 of the report and approve the establishment of a P&R smoothing reserve to manage the income risk whilst patronage returns to pre-Covid levels.

(5)  To delegate the authority to the Director of Place Management in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to implement a parking charge on the Park & Ride site for any users as agreed to offset the increased costs of the operation of the sites and the bus service and ensure that the service remains viable in the long term.