Issue - meetings

Recommendations

The Executive is asked to consider the information in this report and:

i)                 approve the submission of BSIP3 proposals to the Department for Transport by 28 March 2024

ii)                authorise the Corporate Director - Environment, in conjunction with the Corporate Director - Resources, to accept the BSIP3 grant from Department for Transport subject to agreeing appropriate terms. 

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Environment providing information on the Network North Bus Service Improvement Plan 3 (BSIP3) funding for 2024/25 and seeking approval to submit scheme proposals and accept the one-year funding.

Councillor Keane Duncan introduced the report, noting that bus passenger numbers had increased over the past two years and bus routes had been protected.  BSIP funding of £3.5m had been allocated by the Government which would enable 20 more bus routes to be supported for one year.  It was proposed that the Council would work with operators to fund more frequent services, extra customer services staff, marketing and a £1 fare cap for under 19’s.  This was a 1 year pilot and these services would need to be supported to enable them to continue beyond the pilot.

Councillors Gareth Dadd and Carl Les welcomed this funding and emphasised the importance of the public supporting these bus services as the Government would not continue to provide financial support if they were not used.

In moving the recommendation Councillor Duncan advised that progress was dependent on close working with the operators who believed that the selected routes had commercial prospects with this initial support.

Resolved – That:

i)          the submission of BSIP3 proposals to the Department for Transport by 28 March 2024 be approved; and

ii)         the Corporate Director - Environment, in conjunction with the Corporate Director - Resources, be authorised to accept the BSIP3 grant from Department for Transport subject to agreeing appropriate terms.