North Yorkshire Council

Executive

18 June 2024

Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024 Refresh Proposal

Report of the Corporate Director for the Environment

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To brief the Executive on the review of our Bus Service Improvement Plan and seek approval to submit the plan to the Department for Transport.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 In Spring 2021, the Department for Transport (DfT) published the National Bus Strategy which required all Local Transport Authorities (LTA) to develop a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by October 2021. The BSIP is designed to enhance local bus services and encourage modal shift. It provides an opportunity to assess our current offer to passengers, work with operators to deliver improvements and outline an ambitious vision for the future.

2.2 BSIPs were originally intended to be reviewed annually but this was put on hold as government, councils and bus operators focussed on stabilising the bus network following the pandemic. The DfT has now published revised BSIP guidance which streamlines the document. The submission deadline for the refreshed BSIP is 12 June 2024. However, North Yorkshire Council (NYC) have agreed a revised timescale with DfT, allowing a draft to be submitted by the June deadline, with the final document due in July 2024.

2.3 On 23 October 2023, the Government announced a further £150m of local bus funding for the Midlands and the North, called ‘Network North: Phase 3 Bus Service Improvement Plan funding’ (BSIP3). On 07 December 2023, NYC received notification of an indicative allocation of £3.5m for 2024/25. The BSIP3 grant is revenue funding only; our proposals for this were approved by DfT in April and will comprise the delivery programme for 2024/25 in our BSIP document. Payment of the BSIP3 grant is contingent on submission of a revised BSIP document to DfT.

3.0 BSIP 2024 REFRESH APPROACH

3.1 The 2024 BSIP refresh is an opportunity to provide a light touch update, where we have revised the data baseline, set out our delivery plan for 2024/2025 and our vison for the following five years. We are providing a one-year update on BSIP delivery, with a focus on the Network North proposals.

3.2 With the establishment of the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) in February 2024 and the mayoral election in May, we are working closely with City of York to ensure our BSIP plans align and that passengers will see a joined-up approach on bus fares and services. Future BSIP funding for both authorities will go via the MCA, with the Mayor delivering a single BSIP document for both authorities in 2025. Our one-year BSIP refresh will allow the MCA freedom to move forward in their desired direction from 2025/26.

3.3 Unlike the original 2021 document, the 2024 BSIP is not a bidding document. The new guidance is that LTAs should view it as the first step in the process of developing their post-2025 bus service improvements programme.

4.0 MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE BSIP DOCUMENT

4.1 Following DfT guidance the document has been simplified to six sections:

· Section 1: Our bus vision

· Section 2: Current offer to bus passengers.

· Section 3: Improvement Programme to 2025

· Section 4: Ambitions and Proposals from 2025 and beyond

· Section 5: Targets, performance, and reporting

· Section 6: Overview table

4.2 Our vision is to provide an efficient and accessible bus network in North Yorkshire that:

· Meets the needs of our local communities

· Enables people to be active & independent and businesses to flourish

· Provides excellent customer service

· Is easy to use and offers simple payment fares

4.2.1 Customers will have bus services which enable sustainable, cleaner and healthier travel choices. We expect that this will result in fewer car journeys, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in North Yorkshire. Improving our bus services will help make North Yorkshire a great place to live, visit, work and invest in. Our revised Bus Service Improvement Plan will form part of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Local Transport Plan.

4.3 The ‘Current offer to passengers’ section sets out the existing bus network and community transport provision, including maps showing network coverage and commercial and supported routes.

4.4 The 2024/25 improvements programme sets out the service enhancements, bus fare reductions and customer improvements that we will deliver using the BSIP3 grant funding. This will see seven day a week services re-introduced to many of our bus routes as well as additional early morning and evening journeys and frequency enhancements and a new maximum £1 fare for under 19s which builds on the national adult £2 fare cap scheme. These proposals were approved by the Executive on 19 March and subsequently accepted by DfT.

4.5 Our longer-term ambitions are set out in Section 4 and link closely with emerging local transport plan development and our climate strategy. This builds on the delivery of the 2024/25 improvements and sets out the direction of future accessibility and connectivity for North Yorkshire. Key elements are:

· Low and Simple Fares: following the national £2 fare cap and £1 fare cap for under 19-year-olds in our 2024/25 plan, our ambition is to continue the £1 fare cap for young adults alongside the national £2 fare cap. This will encourage young people to use public transport and delay their acquisition of a private car.

· Strengthen core daytime weekday services: the 2024/25 enhancement plan provided improvements in frequency; it is intended to extend this and work towards a minimum hourly frequency on our core bus routes.

· Introduce more weekend services for a seven-day accessible North Yorkshire. This will build on the strength of core commercial bus services and the enhancements delivered in the 2024/25 plan, our ambition is to ensure all commercial routes offer services across the whole week. This investment will create the accessible seven-day network that is needed to support businesses and communities.

· Accessibility, inclusiveness, personal safety and security: Initiate a fresh dialogue with disability action groups, ensuring their representation in our Enhanced Partnership. As part of this, we will renew our commitment to accessibility by actively engaging with these action groups, seeking to better understand their needs so we can champion accessibility on transport across the county.

· Define a Rural Community Offer: North Yorkshire is predominantly a rural county with several sparse communities across our 8,000km² geography. In 2021 to 2023 we trialled a pilot Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) service. This pilot was invaluable in understanding the challenges and opportunities in delivering a flexible transport service for rural communities. It is intended to use the lessons learnt to design a DDRT operation in the Esk Valley that will integrate the Community Rail service with local bus, school, and social care transport to better connect communities. Consideration will be given to the appropriate delivery model which could include local bus, taxi, community transport or a combination of these.

· Supporting future rounds of Zebra funding bids

· Review Highway and Traffic Environment on Identified Key Corridors: Implementing measures to:

i) improve journey time consistency and

ii) reduce overall bus journey times.

This will focus on ‘Gold Standard’ corridors where bus operators invest in modern low or zero carbon accessible vehicles, high frequencies and active customer first care. Initially review and enhancement work will take place along the Service 36 corridor in Harrogate, the Service 1 Knaresborough – Harrogate corridor and the Harrogate Service 2 and 3 networks.

Additional Gold Standard routes will be identified across the sub region in the coastal Scarborough area and smaller urban towns such as Whitby, Selby and Skipton where enhancements will be identified and introduced. Where appropriate, we will introduce targeted and proportionate bus priority measures at identified congestion hotspot which will be identified through a placed based approach. In the 2025 – 30 improvement period we will consider corridor enhancement reviews in short local sections where congestion and highway factors impact journey time consistency.

· Invest in the Customer: with a commitment to high quality, accessible and punctual networks with excellent service standards, our ambition is to transform the way customers perceive bus travel and their experience in using it. Building on the introduction of a passenger charter for North Yorkshire introduced in the 2024/25 plan, we will ensure the network is accessible, in the built environment, at bus stops, bus stations and the buses people use, and that it offers excellent customer service. Following the plan to audit all our bus stops and bus stations in 2024/25 we will implement a program of enhancement where this is needed to ensure bus stops and stations are safe, accessible and attractive. We will implement strong marketing and promotion offers identified through the Enhanced Partnership and Forum, such as the east coast “Scenic Explorer” promotion, designed to simplify the convenience and use of buses for visitors and tourists across York and North Yorkshire, will be introduced.

· Support Businesses and the Economy: our vision states - An efficient and accessible bus network that enables businesses to flourish - this is a central part of the vision and will enable businesses to access customers and staff they need. Initially we will establish a role for business to join the enhanced partnership forum to contribute their understanding and perspective on local bus transport and identify initiatives that will be included in the pipeline for bus service improvements where these are suitable.

4.6 DfT guidance requires us to update baseline data for bus services and sets out performance monitoring and reporting targets. As part of the BSIP refresh all LTAs must complete a Bus Connectivity Assessment. This involves data collection led by the Local Authority and supported by bus operators. DfT have advised that this will be used to understand the outputs and outcomes resulting from recent bus grants and inform decisions on the effective use of future bus funding.

4.7 A copy of the updated 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plan is included in Appendix A. This document will continue to be updated throughout its life as data is provided and progress is made.

5.0 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN AND RESPONSES

5.1 Engagement with bus operators and stakeholders will continue to take place through the North Yorkshire Enhanced Partnership which includes bus companies, bus passenger representatives and disability groups. The proposals in the BSIP have been informed by the extensive 2023 Local Transport Plan engagement which received around 5,000 public and stakeholder responses.

5.2 An Enhanced Partnership Forum meeting was held on the 26 April 2024, and this will be followed by an Enhanced Partnership Board meeting in early June 2024.

5.3 The BSIP refresh has been discussed at the MCA Joint Working Group and the Local Transport Plan Board. A paper will also be taken to Cabinet on 11 June. A briefing for the mayor will also take place and it is planned to take a report to the MCA Cabinet on 22 July.

6.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

6.1 None, this is a mandatory requirement on all LTAs. NYC will forfeit the Network North BSIP3 funding if we fail to submit a revised BSIP.

7.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

7.1 The proposals for 24/25 contained in this report will be funded through the additional £3.5m funding received for 24/25. If the Council don’t submit arevised BSIP document, NYC would miss out on the £3.5m Network North funding, which is contingent upon the BSIP refresh. Future BSIP funding allocations may also be impacted by this.

8.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

8.1 None, the BSIP document has been refreshed using the latest DfT guidance. In the event that NYC are successful in submitting the revised BSIP document, NYC may receive additional Network North funding upon which there may be legal implications which will be addressed in a future report if necessary.

9.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

9.1 Consideration has been given to the potential for any adverse equality impacts arising from this decision (see Appendix B). Refreshing the BSIP will support the improvement of local bus services and modal shift from private cars. Submission of a refreshed BSIP document will confirm the release of £3.5m funding to the council to deliver improvements to local bus services local bus services which are often relied on by older, disabled, or lower income groups.

10.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

10.1 Consideration has been given to the potential for any adverse climate impacts arising from this decision and a Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA) has been undertaken. (Appendix C). Improving local bus services will support travel by more sustainable modes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport by reducing private car journeys.

11.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

11.1 All local authorities are required by the DfT to submit a refreshed Bus Service Improvement Plan. This will release our £3.5m allocation of BSIP3 funding to deliver the programme of improvements set out in section 3 of the BSIP document.

12.0

RECOMMENDATION

12.1

The Executive is asked to consider the information in this report and approve submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024 document to the Department for Transport.

APPENDICES:

Appendix A – Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024

Appendix B – Equalities Impact Assessment

Appendix C – Climate Change Impact Assessment

Karl Battersby

Corporate Director of Environment

County Hall

Northallerton

24.05.24

Report Author – Andy Clarke Public & Community Transport Manager

Analysis of existing bus services comparedto BSIP outcomes

This sectionconsiders the performance of the currentnetwork up to 2023/ 24 againstthe overarching themes of the National Bus Strategy which are:

· greater networkcoverage

· better modalintegration

· lower fares

· simpler ticketing

· clearer bus information

· improved customerservice

Spending on local bus services for 2022/23 and 2023/24 is show below, the priority for the last two years has been retaining network coverage and supporting the recovery of passenger numbers.Our investment programme for 2024 will now deliver improvements in all these areas and is outlined in section 3 below.

Table 1: Spending on local bus services

2023/24

£000s

supported bus services

community transport

concessionary

fares reimbursement

bus infrastructure

zero emission buses

promotion & publicity

total

NYC

funding

2329

418

6400

9270

DfT funding

2864

7800*

2864

5193

418

6400

12134

* Grant received in 2023 but will be spent in 2024/25, not included in totals.

2022/23

£000s

supported bus services

community transport

concessionary

fares reimbursement

bus infrastructure

zero emission buses

promotion & publicity

total

NYC

funding

2224

344

5931

8655

DfT funding

1562

3786

344

5931

10217

Network coverage and integration

Since 2021, our priority has been maintaining existing bus services and supporting the recovery in passenger numbers following the Covid19 pandemic. Passenger numbers fell by around 90% during the pandemic and while we have since seen a gradual recovery, the bus network is still under significant pressure.In 2023/24 bus companies have also been contending with difficulties in recruiting drivers, shortages of spare parts, higher operating costs as well as less income being generated from bus fares. Bus network review work carried out in 2022 identified that over 70 bus routes in North Yorkshire were at risk of withdrawal or significant reduction but, aided by financial support from both the council and Department for Transport almost all routes have been retained. While there have been some frequencyreductions overall networkcoverage has been retained. Our delivery plan for 2024/25 will see timetable improvements on many of these routes as we look to grow the network.

· Up to 2023/24, evening and Sunday journeys have only been provided where these were either commercially viable or commissioned by Dalesbus or Moorsbus, both community interest companies. These organisations are dependent on fundraising or donations and provide largely seasonal weekend servicesinto the YorkshireDales or North York Moors. This focus will change in our2024/25 improvement programme which will see a move towards more 7 day a week provision.

· Improvements to the bus passenger experience:

a) improved bus stops, bus stations and interchanges

b) improved bus information and network identity

c) implementing the Bus PassengerCharter

· Support business:implement a progressive partnership with business

· Longer term transformation of the network:A Joint BSIP for York and NorthYorkshire

The commitments, actions and proposed interventions (detailed below) have been developed in collaboration with North Yorkshire’s bus operators througha BSIP working group. They have been developed in response to the problemsand opportunities describedin the previous section. They are set out with a focus on deliverability where improvement is achieved and is seen as bringing change.

In summarythe measures include:

Forward Plan 2025 to 2030; this plan builds on the delivery of the 2024/25investment and bus service improvement and sets out the direction of future accessibility and connectivity for North Yorkshire.

1. Low and Simple Fares:following the National£2 fare cap and the introduction of a £1 fare cap for under 19-year-olds in our 2024/25 plan, the NorthYorkshire and York ambition is to extend the £1 (2024 prices) fare cap to young adults and continue this offer alongside the national £2 (2024 prices) fare cap. This will encourage young people to use public transport and delay their acquisition of a private car.

2. Strengthen core Daytime Weekday Services: the 2024/25 enhancement plan will see improvements in frequency on some key commercial routes and it is intendedto develop this further, based on how passengers respond to the 2024 offer.

3. Introduce Weekend Services for a 7 Day Accessible North Yorkshire: Building on the strength of core commercial bus services and the enhancements begun in the 2024/25plan, our ambition is to ensure all commercial routes offer services across the whole week with Saturday and Sunday services at suitable frequency levels. This investment will create the accessible 7-day network that is needed to support businesses and communities.

4. Accessibility, inclusiveness, personal safety and security: Initiate a fresh dialogue with disability action groups, ensuringtheir representation in our Enhanced Partnership. As part of this, we will renew our commitment to accessibility by actively engagingwith these actiongroups, seeking to better understand their needs so we can champion accessibility on transport across the county.

5. Supporting futurerounds of ZEBRA zero emissionbus funding including for town servicesand community transport.

6. Define a Rural Community Offer: North Yorkshire is predominantly a rural county with several sparse communities across our 8,000m² geography. In 2021 to 2023 we trialled a pilot Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) service. This pilot was invaluable in understanding the challenges and opportunities in delivering a flexible transport service for rural communities. It is intended to use the lessons learnt to design a DDRT operation in the Esk Valley that will integrate the Community Rail service with local bus, school and social care transport to better connect communities. Consideration will be givento the appropriate delivery model which couldinclude local bus, taxi, community transport or a combination of these.

7. Review Highwayand Traffic Environment on Identified Key Corridors: Implementing measures to i) improve journey time consistency and ii) reduce overall bus journey times. This will focus on ‘Gold Standard’ corridors where bus operators invest in modern low or zero carbon accessible vehicles, high frequencies and active customer first care. Initially review and enhancement work will take place along the Service 38 corridor in Harrogate, the Service 1 Knaresborough – Harrogate corridor and the Harrogate Service 2 and 3 networks.

Additional Gold Standard routes will be identified across the sub region in the coastal Scarborough area and smallerurban towns e.g. Whitby, Selby and Skiptonwhere enhancements will be identified and introduced. Where appropriate, we will introduce targeted and proportionate bus priority measures at identified congestion hotspot which will be identified through the placed based approach. In the 2025 – 30 improvement period we will consider corridor enhancement reviews in short local sections where congestion and highway factors impact journey time consistency.

8. Invest in the Customer: with a commitment to high quality, accessible and punctual networks with excellent service standards, our ambition is to transform the way customers perceive bus traveland their experience in using it. Building on the introduction of a passenger charter for North Yorkshire introduced in the 2024/25plan, we will ensure the networkis accessible, in the built environment, at bus stops, bus stations and the buses people use, and that it offers excellent customer service.

Following the plan to audit all our bus stops and bus stations in 2024/25 we will implement a program of enhancement where this is needed to ensure bus stops and stations are safe, accessible and attractive. We will implement strong marketing and promotion offers identified through the Enhanced Partnership and Forum, such as the east coast“Scenic Explorer” promotion, designed to simplify the convenience and use of buses for visitors and tourists across York and North Yorkshire, will be introduced.

9. Support Businesses and the Economy:Our Vision states- An efficient and accessible bus network that enables businesses to flourish- this is a centralpart of the vision and will enablebusinesses to access customers and staff they need. Initially we will establish a role for business to join the enhanced partnership forum to contribute their understanding and perspective on local bus transport and identify initiatives that will be included in the pipeline for bus service improvements where these are suitable.

10. The establishment of the first rural MayoralCombined Authority and the first elected Mayor for York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority presents a unique opportunity for York and North Yorkshire. We welcome this opportunity and will work with the Mayor’s office to draft a strong joint BSIP and achieve the enhancements that will best serve the sub region.

Esk Valley DDRT

The followingis an outline of a possible proposalfor further investigation and could involvethe introduction of a pilot DDRT operation in the Esk Valley.

DDRT operates using vehicles that are scheduled in near real time, offering people access to transport services where conventional local bus services are not economic to operate either commercially or as a tendered service. People access the service through an app on their smart phone and enter a request which is then scheduled into the best vehicle automatically by the app using pre-configured parameters in the app’s algorithms.

Esk Valley Concept:

The Esk Valley project would take learning from similar schemes across the country such as Lincolnshire Call Connect, whichsuccessfully serves Lincolnshire, East Rutland, and Peterborough. For the Esk Valley it would integrate with the community rail service, connecting with rail journeys and providing through ticketing and guaranteed connection; it would also link with conventional bus services operating into and around Whitby, again offering through ticketing and guaranteed connections.

The operation would use a mix of vehicles, including accessible electric MPV’s and larger seated accessible minibuses, with the use of MPVs reducing both capital and operating costs. Consideration would be given to selecting an appropriate delivery model, which may include local bus, taxi, community transport or a combination of these. The project would also include electric vehicle charging infrastructure at Whitby and Lealholm.

The proposal could offer a unique opportunity to establish a bespoke transport solution in a rural area where settlements are scattered, and existing transport is infrequent or not available. We could launch this scheme as a 5-year pilot, allowing sufficient time for modal shift to become established. Integrating with the community rail service and existing school transport provision would enable an efficient utilisation of the DDRT vehicle by feeding into andsupporting the rail service. It willenable settlements that areremote from the stations on the line to access the rail service and may enable the train to ‘skip stop’ some locations thereby reducing rail journey times and creating capacity for additional rail journeys. The Esk Valley Rail service is currently subject to an enhancement project where funding may be available to contribute to project outcomes.

Mobility as a ServicePilot

As part of the forward-looking proposal from 2025 onwards, NYC will aim to develop a business case for a Mobility as a Service scheme which would initially be a 5-year pilot focussed around the Yorkshire Dales. With the aim to integrate multiple transport and travel options including; community transport, bus, rail and active travel into a single technology platform,providing journey planningcapabilities, easy accessto travel information, in-app ticketing, and a hassle-free payment system.

This initiative would prioritise first and last mile connectivity, seamlessly linking various transportation options. NYC would look at the successful GO-HI project in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as an example and model for a multi-modal travel planning tool, which grantsusers instant access to a growing network of local providers, thereby promoting a shift toward more sustainable transportation.

We must also consider the unique rural context of this scheme and how it can be adapted for a county of our size. For this we plan to look towards Kent County Council who are currently in the development stages of implementing a similar scheme. Their project will also operate in a pilot area, providing a working example for NYC to draw feedback from.

Mobility Hubs

Developing mobility hubs across the county could connect people by integrating public transport and active travel. They enhance multi-modal trips by allowing seamless transitions between different transportation modes. We would initially be looking to develop mobility hubs in key locations across the county such as Ripon, Richmond and Malton. These hubs prioritise safety, improve accessibility, and encourage a modal shift away from the privatecar. We will look to developmobility hubs in existing community spaces, such as bus stops, or establish them through partnerships with local businesses. With the goal to provide a secure and sheltered waiting area, along with access to other services.

Fares that are lower and simpler

Fares and ticketing information go hand-in-hand with journey planninginformation and allowspassengers to plan their journey in advance, as journey choices may be influenced by the cost and availability of suitable tickets. Users need to be presented with prices and ticket options at the point of planning their journey.

In January 2023 Government introduced a national £2 fare cap and this is extended to continue to December 2024. The initiative is centrally contracted and funded by Government and applies across the wholeof England. This has beenhugely successful, achieving an increase in passengers and offering a simple clear fare for passengers. This provides a value offer that the forward plan can build on.

Through the North Yorkshire Enhanced Partnership, we will work with operators to review and rationalise their fares and ticketranges to reduce the numberof different tickets on offer. We will also work alongside City of York to align our ticketing initiatives, making travel simpler across the combined authority. In particular, we will seek to agree a minimumset of 'Must Have' ticketsthat will be expected to be available.

· Deliver lower fares for younger people– retainunder-19 qualifying age across the whole of North Yorkshire on all bus services. Offer a 50% discount fare to passengers in this age group.

· Deliver singlejourney fare capping – implement the national £2 (@ 2024 prices) fare cap and ensure this is sustainable to become an established part of the bus offer in the area.

· Deliver day fare capping - Operators have committed to provide a daily fare cap once the technology and back-office functionsupport is available. We will work with our operators on how we can deliver this sustainably.

· Deliver promotion and fare incentives - To encourage increased patronage on services, we will work jointly with operatorsto explore and implement fare initiatives to attract and retain passengers, particularly in off-peak periods and from new markets

Introduced in the 2024/25improvement plan a youngperson’s offer which reflected the national £2 fare cap was introduced providing a £1 single fare cap for under 19-year-olds. For the 2025-30 program this will be continued.

Seamless, integrated local ticketing between operators and across all types of transport

We will support operators in working togetherto develop multi-operator ticketing, including combinedsingle trip journeys. We will expand existing collaborations with local business and tourist attractions to include all bus operators and further collaboration with industry to develop new business-to-business ticket offers for employers, attractions and major businesses. Through our BSIP we will:

· Develop a ticketing workinggroup in North Yorkshire with operators. This group will:

· promote existingmulti-operator ticketing products

· work with operators to fill identified gaps

· explore new areas of opportunity for joint ticketinginitiatives on commonsections of routes or through routes (subject to CMA compliance and bilateral agreements)

· Mandate operatorson common sectionsof route to accept all operators’ valid return and day tickets.

· Use the ticketing workinggroup to exploreinnovative ticketing productsfocusing on areas such as tourism.

· Use the ticketing group to explore multi operator ticking products and opportunities, relevant to the geography of North Yorkshire, and with referenceto needs. The aim is to ensure the product is both affordable and attractive.

Service patterns that are integrated with other modes

All modes of transport contribute to the local economyand peoples’ enjoyment of their community. Rail is important to North Yorkshire and NYC will continue to commit resource and work with the rail industry to deliver improvements.

Enabling rail travel’s integration with other modes in North Yorkshireis as much about the infrastructure as services and ticketing. In this respect, we are currently developing proposals for improved access to stations at Skipton, Seamer, Selby, Thirsk and Malton. These are being developed with local rail operators and will be submitted to Government for funding.

The council has also developed a series of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) for Harrogate, Selby, Scarborough, Skiptonand Northallerton. The aim of the LCWIPs is to identifythe main cycle and walking improvements in a town to enable the council to bid for government funding and/or to secure funding contributions from developers. The LCWIPs broadly align to the key commercial bus markets and corridors in the county.

Through our BSIP we deliver cycling facilities at identified locations along the key corridors. These will include bike racks and bike storage infrastructure at key locations such as bus stations to encourage integratedtravel. We will, where possible, link measuresidentified in the respective LCWIPs with the BSIP.

Consider new, and enhance existing, park and ride operations where these are required and can be operated sustainably. Explore the implementation of Electric Vehicle Hubs to provide convenient charging points for bothpark and ride users and the public to encourage usage. We will also assess the opportunity to develop our park and ride operations into multimodal mobility hubs to cater to various modes of transportation, encouraging the shift to sustainable, accessible transport.

The local bus network is presented as a singlesystem that works together with clear passenger information:

North Yorkshire has a number of strong local bus brands across its different operators, and this is something that will be encouraged acrossthe wider bus network(including support infrastructure such as bus stops). A branded stop is a simple basic mechanism for raising awareness amongst non-bus users, through raising awareness of the availability of bus services and giving confidence to both bus users and non-bus users in using the service. Through the North Yorkshire Enhanced Partnership, we will agree which local brandsshould be adopted,taking account of the distinctlocal bus marketsin North Yorkshire. In order to show unified local identities across all parts of the bus system, we will work with operators to expand branding across all information mediums (including on bus stops, in printed timetables, at bus stations and across ticket ranges).

Through the development of the BSIP, NYC has worked closely with the operators to begin developing a draft information strategy. A final copy of the information strategy, once available, will be included in an updated version of the BSIP. Through our BSIP we will:

· Deliver a new websitewhich will includeinformation on all services operating in North Yorkshire and City of York, including cross boundary services. The website will contain information on timetables, fares and service updates.

· Deliver e-Ink digital signs at bus stops along identified key corridors. These displays will provide a modern approach to traditional roadside bus information together with both fares and real time information.

· For other bus stops,deliver a programme of timetable displayupgrades to enablepresentation of clear and easy to understand information.

· Develop a standard approachfor producing, updatingand maintaining publicity. This will include design standards and clarity on responsibilities for both operators and NYC.

· In partnership with our key operators, develop a marketing strategy covering the whole of North Yorkshire to promote the bus network and encourage modal shift. This will consider all marketing formats, a programme of marketing activity (refreshed regularly) including fares promotion, development of a local brand and key marketing opportunities to attract new users to our bus network. An initialkey strand of the marketingstrategy will considerand. We will ensure tourismis considered as part of the marketing strategy and consider how we can promote the area to those outside of North Yorkshire.

Modern buses and decarbonisation

We want bus servicesacross North Yorkshire to be zero emission, using modern, comfortable and high specification vehicles. In 2021, the councilcommissioned a feasibility study into the deployment of Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) developing a roadmap for fleet decarbonisation across the county.

Bus operator engagement took place to understand the fleet investment plans, technical and operational constraints and current attitudes to ZEB deployment among North Yorkshire’s bus operators. The three largestoperators (Arriva, East Yorkshire, and Transdev) were consulted, as well as three smalleroperators and NYC’s fleet operations team.

Following the successful Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) electricbus project in Harrogate we will explore opportunities for further funding; engaging bus operators to seek their support for future applications.

Through our BSIP we will:

· Support bus operators in identifying furtheropportunities for fundingand accelerated fleet decarbonisation, including exploring alternative fleet procurement and ownership models.

· We will work with our neighbouring authorities in City of York and Tees Valley to achieve zero emission operation on cross-boundary servicesoperated from depots outside of North Yorkshire, including the potential for hydrogen powered bus operation on some longer interurban routes.

· Commit to decarbonisation of the Council’s own in-house fleet of community and demand responsive transport minibuses (as and when suitable modelsand funding opportunities become available) that support this segment of the public service vehicle market.

Bus services that are safe and perceived to be safe by all

We want buses in North Yorkshireto be clean, comfortable and reliable, offeringa safe environment accessible to all.

Following the audit of bus stops taking place in 2024 we will seek funding to deliver improvements to bus stops and waitingareas including accessible boarding, bus shelterupgrades, improved seatingand waiting areas and lighting. These improvements will focus on the key corridors initially before rolling the improvements out across the rest of the county.

A common standard for driver trainingto promote customerservice with enhanceddiversity and equalities appreciation ensuring a consistent offer across the county regardless of operator.

5: Targets,Performance Monitoring &Reporting

NYC workedclosely with bus operators to agreea series of ambitious targetsfor improvements in the 2021 BSIP. The targets focused on; overall bus passenger offer customer satisfaction, passenger growth, punctuality improvements and fleet decarbonisation. We have updatedthese targets to reflect the progress made since 2021, providing an accurate forecast.

These targetswill be used to measureprogress towards achieving the BSIP’s aims and objectives and will form part of the future annual reviews and updates to the North Yorkshire BSIP.

Targets

Target 1: Increase overall customersatisfaction on servicesin North Yorkshire

Target 2: Increase passenger numberscountywide 3% by 2030

Target 3: Improve punctuality in the three main urban centres of Harrogate, Selby and Scarborough

Target 4: Maintain the current>99.5% reliability level across all services in North Yorkshire.

Target 5: 25% fleet zero emissions by 2030 and 60% by 2035.

Target 1

Customer Satisfaction Target

We are working with Transport Focus as part of their “Your Bus Journey” project to assess customer satisfaction in North Yorkshire and benchmark experiences here with other parts of the country. This approach will provideus with more in-depth targetedanalysis. This project startedin April 2024 and will be used to understand how customers perceive bus travel now and establish new performance targets. NYC will closely monitor trends in local performance, comparing them with other authorities. Bus operators will continue to conducttheir own surveys, and this valuable information will also be monitored when available.

As part of our developing Passenger Charter, we will use the data receivedto drive improvements across the county.

Target 2

Passenger Growth Target (Table3)

Year	Growth from baseline
Year	County Wide	Harrogate	Scarborough	Selby
2023/24 Baseline	9,933,826	5,180,325	3,038,660	785,067
2030 (3%)	10,281,509	5,361,636	3,145,013	812,545
2035 (1.5%)	10,435,732	5,442,060	3,192,188	824,733

We have updated the baseline to 2023/24 as shown in Table 3 above and Graph 2, this will allow more accurate targets for patronage growth to be set. The medium-term trend for bus usage in North Yorkshire remains one of reducingpatronage over the last decade, from a high of 17.3min 2011/12, usage dropped by 32% to a low of 11.7m in 2017/18 from where patronage has stabilised and is recovering.

Target 3

Punctuality Improvement Target (Table4)

Year	% of buses on time
Year	Harrogate	Scarborough	Selby
2023/24 Baseline
2030 (3%)	+3%	+3%	+3%
2035 (1.5%)	+5%	+5%	+5%

Punctuality is monitored in the urban areas of North Yorkshirewhere bus serviceprovision is strongerand where factors affecting punctuality, including higher traffic volumes, reduced and restricted road space, greater number of junctions are more pronounced.

This approachwill be takenwhen monitoring punctuality targets in the BSIP. Networkcompliance will be measured using approved methodology in the Harrogate, Scarborough and Selby areas.

It is acknowledged that punctuality performance in urban centres can carry over into longer inter-urban services and impactneighbouring authorities wherethese services are cross boundary.NYC will continue to work with neighbouring authorities to mitigate any negative impacts.

Target 4

Reliability Targets (Table 5)

Financial Year	County Wide Reliability
2023/24 (new baseline TBC)
2030	+3%
2035	+5%

Target 5

Local Bus Emission Targets(Table 6)

Financial Year	% Local Bus Fleet operated across North Yorkshire
Financial Year	Lower than IV standard	Euro IV standard	Euro V standard	Euro VI standard or better	Zero Emissions
2021	12%	0%	32%	52 %	4%
2030	0%	0%	15%	60%	25%
2035	0%	0%	0%	40%	60%

The fleet emission data has been provided by the operatorsbased on the fleet they are currentlyoperating. NYC is committed to carbon reduction and aims to become carbon neutral by 2030 and in conjunction with a Mayoral Combined Authority to become carbon negative by 2040. It is encouraging to see the steps that operators have taken to move to electric bus operations to date, and the combined ambition to significantly decarbonise bus operations over the next 10 years. In partnership with the Harrogate Bus Company, NYC are in the finalstages of delivering the ZEBRA scheme.This will see 39 new electricvehicles operating out of their Harrogate depot. Marking a significant step towards our decarbonisation targets.

Journey time target

Journey time targets will be developed in line with specific schemes,it is difficult to set journeytime targets at this stage until the network studies and interventions have been agreed. As part of the delivery of specific schemes which will be identified through the Enhanced Partnership Plan journey time targets will be set accordingly.

Reporting

Following DfT guidance, performance against the BSIP targets will be updatedon an annual basis.The BSIP targets will be published https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/busserviceimprovement.

We understand that BSIPs are designed to be living documents. As such they can be altered and re- published in partnership with our local bus operators. In any event, as a partnership we will review and where necessary revise this document on an annual basis to ensure that it remains relevant and working as intended or we will amend it to ensure that there is greater success for the following period. Where the document has been reviewed and revised, the revisions as an updated BSIP document will be resubmitted to the DfT.

Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Environment
Service area	Integrated Passenger Transport
Proposal being screened	BSIP 2024 Refresh
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Kate Stapleton
What are you proposing to do?	Update the BSIP and complete the Bus Connectivity assessment.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	Refreshing the BSIP will support the improvement of local bus services and foster the modal shift from private cars, it provides an opportunity to set our vision for bus provision going forward. Completing the BCA provides the DfT with insights into bus connectivity, potentially influencing future funding decisions. Meeting these requirements will enable the release of £3.5m funding allocated to NYC to improve local bus services. This will bring benefits for bus passengers including groups with protected characteristics.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYCC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your Equality rep for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				X
Disability				X
Sex				X
Race				X
Sexual orientation				X
Gender reassignment				X
Religion or belief				X
Pregnancy or maternity				X
Marriage or civil partnership				X

People in rural areas				X
People on a low income				X
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				X
Are from the Armed Forces Community				X
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (e.g. disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		Updating the BSIP and BCA will allow the release of additional funding to support local bus services which are often relied on by older, disabled, or lower income groups. It will also set out our vision for bus improvements going forward.
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (e.g. partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		No
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		Both documents will provide an updated picture on the bus service provision in North Yorkshire, support the improvement of bus services and the modal shift from cars. The release of the BSIP3 funding allocation for bus service improvement is contingent on completion of these documents. Mapping out bus service improvement alongside receiving the grant will bring benefits for bus passengers, including groups with protected characteristics.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Paul Thompson
Date		24.05.24

Climate change impact assessment

The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.

This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision-making process and should be written in Plain English.

If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance, please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk

Title of proposal	BSIP 2024 Refresh Proposal
Brief description of proposal	Submit the BSIP refresh alongside a Bus Connectivity Assessment. Both documents contribute to improving public transport.
Directorate	Environment
Service area	Integrated Passenger Transport
Lead officer	Andy Clarke
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	None
Date impact assessment started	May 2024

Options appraisal

Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.

The potential for bus service improvements supports a modal shift from private car usage, resulting in positive climate impacts. Failing to submit a refreshed BSIP would result in NYC missing out on the £3.5m in Network North funding, which is contingent on the BSIP refresh. Consequently, NYC would lose the opportunity to enhance public transport for residents and potentially prejudice future Government grant funding.

What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?

Submitting a refreshed BSIP document will release £3.5m of DFT funding that is allocated to NYC for local bus service improvements.

How will this proposal impact on the environment? N.B. There may be short term negative impact and longer term positive impact. Please include all potential impacts over the lifetime of a project and provide an explanation.		Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant)	No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant)	Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant)	Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale? Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO₂e · Links to relevant documents	Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.	Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible.
Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.	Emissions from travel	X			Improving bus services encourages modal shift from the private car which reduces emissions.	A number of the routes will be operated by electric buses by summer 2024 which further supports a reduction in travel emissions.	Strengthening bus services increases passenger numbers, which in turn increases the likelihood of further investment in bus service provision and lower / zero emission vehicles.
	Emissions from construction		X		No impact anticipated
	Emissions from running of buildings		X		No impact anticipated
	Other
Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic			X		No impact anticipated
Reduce water consumption			X		No impact anticipated
Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)			X		No impact anticipated
Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers			X		No impact anticipated
Enhance conservation and wildlife			X		No impact anticipated
Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape			X		No impact anticipated
Other (please state below)			X		No impact anticipated

Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards.

N/A

Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.

Improving local bus services will support travel by more sustainable modes and lower greenhouse gas emissions from transport by reducing private car journeys. Improving local bus services will support a modal shift away from the car with associated positive climate impacts.

Sign off section

This climate change impact assessment was completed by:

Name	Andy Clarke
Job title	Public & Community Transport Manager
Service area	Integrated Passenger Transport
Directorate	Business and Environmental Services
Signature	A Clarke
Completion date	24.05.24

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Paul Thompson

Date: 04/06/2024

DfT category	Proposed improvement	Route	Route description	Estimated funding
Bus service support	Enhancements to weekday timetables, including improved frequencies and additional early morning, peak time, evening, or shopper journeys.	Service 10	Scarborough - Scarborough, Hospital - Westborough - Eastfield - Cayton	£2,127,000
		Service 128	Scarborough - Crossgates - Seamer Roundabout - East Ayton - West Ayton - Hutton Buscel - Wykeham - Brompton by Sawdon - Snainton - Ebberston - Allerston - Wilton - Thornton le Dale - Pickering - Middleton - Wrelton - Sinnington - Kirkbymoorside - Wombleton - Nawton - Helmsley
		Service 13	Scarborough - Osgodby Hill Top - Cayton Bay Holiday Camp - Eastfield - Cayton - Lebberston - Crows Nest / Flower of May - Blue Dolphin Holiday Village - Gristhorpe - Filey - Muston - Hunmanby - Primrose Valley Holiday Village - Reighton Sands Holiday Village - Reighton - Bridlington
		Service 164	Selby - Selby College - Thorpe Willoughby - Monk Fryston - South Milford - Sherburn in Elmet - Micklefield - East Garforth - Colton - Killingbeck - Leeds
		Service 175	Malton - Swinton - Amotherby - Great Habton - Kirby Misperton - Little Barugh - Great Barugh - Brawby - Salton - Normanby - Marton - Pickering
		Service 20	Scarborough - Queen Street - Westborough - Scarborough Rail Station - Evelyn Drive - Stepney Ave

		Service 82 83	Knaresborough - Scotton - Farnham - Ferrensby - Arkendale - Staveley - Copgrove - Burton Leonard - Bishop Monkton - Littlethorpe - Ripon - Ripon Schools - Sharow - Copt Hewick - Marton-le- Moor - Dishforth Airfield - Kirby Hill - Skelton-on- Ure - Boroughbridge - Aldborough - Grafton - Marton - Great Ouseburn - Little Ouseburn - Whixley - Green Hammerton - Kirk Hammerton - Hessay - York
		Service 30	Thirsk - Sowerby - Thormanby - Raskelf - Easingwold
		Service 42	Selby - Wistow - Cawood - Kelfield - Stillingfleet - Naburn - Fulford - York
		service 476	Selby - Selby College - Brayton - Hensall - Hut Green - Whitley - Kellington - Beal - Kellingley - Ferrybridge - Knottingley - Pontefract
		Service 70	Ripon - Sharow - Dishforth - Asenby - Topcliffe - Alanbrooke Barracks - Busby Stoop - Carlton Miniott - Thirsk - South Kilvington - Thornton le Street - Thornton le Beans Lane end - Northallerton
		Service 8	Scarborough - St Thomas Street - Westborough - Briercliffe - Queen Street
		Service 840/843 Coastliner	Leeds - Seacroft - Tadcaster - Copmanthorpe - York College - York - Heworth - Stockton-on-the- Forest - Barton Hill - Malton - Scagglethorpe - Rillington - Sherburn - Staxton - Seamer - Scarborough - Alpamare Water Park - Eden Camp - Flamingo Land - Kirby Misperton - Pickering - Thornton le Dale - Lockton Lane End - Goathland - Sleights - Ruswarp - Whitby
		Service X26/27	Catterick Marne Barracks - Catterick Village - Scotton - Hipswell - Colburn - Catterick Garrison - Richmond - Skeeby - Middleton Tyas - Barton - Darlington

		Service 1	Harrogate - Aspin - Carmires - Starbeck - The Pastures - Knaresborough
		Skipton town and village services	Skipton- Embsay - Horse Close - Carleton
		Selby - Tadcaster	Tadcaster - Stutton - Towton - Saxton - Barkston Ash - Church Fenton - Little Fenton - Biggin - Selby
Bus service support	Additional Saturday journeys	Service 155	Bedale - Crakehall - Patrick Brompton - Hunton - Constable Burton - Newton le Willows - Finghall - Spennithorne - Harmby - Leyburn	£127,000
		Tadcaster	Stokesley - Great Ayton - Newton Under Roseberry - Guisborough
		Service 184/5	Westow - Howsham - Barton le Willows - Harton - Leppington - Acklam - Leavening - Burythorpe - Kennythorpe - Langton - Birdsall - Malton-Firby Road end - Kirkham
		Service 412	Wetherby - Thorp Arch - Bickerton - Bickerton lane end - Tockwith - Long Marston - Rufforth - Knapton - York
		Skipton town and village services	Skipton- Embsay - Horse Close - Carleton

Bus service support	Additional; Saturday and bank holiday	Service 10	Scarborough - Scarborough, Hospital - Westborough - Eastfield - Cayton	£220,000
		Service 30	Thirsk - Sowerby - Bagby lane end - Birdforth - Thormanby - Raskelf - Easingwold - Alne - Tollerton - Shipton - Skelton - Clifton - York
		Service 128	Scarborough - Crossgates - Seamer Roundabout - East Ayton - West Ayton - Hutton Buscel - Wykeham - Brompton by Sawdon - Snainton - Ebberston - Allerston - Wilton - Thornton le Dale - Pickering - Middleton - Wrelton - Sinnington - Kirkbymoorside - Wombleton - Nawton - Helmsley
		Rural services in the Dales	All Year Buses (dalesbus.org)
		Rural services across NY Moors	Timetables - Moorsbus
Fares support	£1 maximum fare for under 16-year-olds and 16– 19year-olds	Countywide		£715,000
Other infrastructure	Maintaining and replacing bus stop infrastructure, additional cleaning, and improvements to bus service information	Countywide		£76,000

	Repair and refresh Ripon bus station waiting facilities	Ripon
Other	Provision of additional customer facing staff at busier bus stations to improve information provison and speed up boarding times for customers.	Harrogate & Scarborough	£158,000
Marketing	Improvements to web-based service information, updated countywide bus map and additional promotion focused on service enhancements and fares promotions.	Website	£77,000
Marketing	Promotion of leisure services to moors and dales including timetable leaflets.	Dales & Moors	£77,000
Total			£3,500,000

Executive Summary

Local Government Organisation

Devolution

Update to the 2021 BSIP

1: Our Bus Vision

Figure 1: North YorkshireCouncil area showinglocal constituency boundaries

2: Current Bus Offer to Passengers

Overview

Key commercial networks

Interurban and regional services

Services in more rural areas

Demand responsive and community transport services

Local Bus Operators