Agenda item

1)    First Group

2)    Stagecoach

3)    South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

4)    Rotherham Community Transport

5)    Northern Rail

6)    Robin Hood Airport - Consultative Committee meeting - minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2015 (pages 7 to 12)

(1) First Group – There were no major alterations to services. The First buses would have a new livery and the Company is also investing in new vehicles. The Company continues to participate extensively in the Crucial Crew training of Year 6 school pupils and also elderly persons, in respect of public transport safety. Sessions take place at the Lifewise Centre, Hellaby. Drivers have received awareness-raising training in respect of the risks of child sexual exploitation.

(2) Stagecoach – The services 108 and 109 (Rawmarsh circular) will have reduced frequencies of 15 minutes, with effect from the end of June 2015. Services affecting Conisbrough and Doncaster have been delayed as a consequence of extensive roadworks in that area. Drivers have received awareness-raising training in respect of the risks of child sexual exploitation. The Company is investing in new vehicles and will replace almost half of the fleet which is based at the Company’s Rawmarsh depot. The Company acknowledged the support of both the Borough Council and the SYPTE in respect of the traffic congestion and delays on highways in the Parkgate area. The alterations made recently have improved matters, although there is further progress to be made because this is still a challenging area of Rotherham’s highways network.

(3) South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE)

> Members were informed of the progress of the Rotherham Bus Partnership and the success being achieved in Rotherham and Sheffield is now being desired by the Councils in Doncaster and Barnsley.

> Low floor buses in the County now account for 99% of all buses, with the remaining few buses being used around school movements to schools outside the County.

> With effect from January 2017, all buses (not coaches) will have floor entrance floors and be accessible by people with a disability.  All Single-deck buses will be low floor and accessible earlier, in January 2016, with the double deck vehicles following in January 2017.

> Update on the Devolution Deal - Supported by city leaders and Government the SYPTE intends to develop bus partnerships across the County to the next level.  The Devolution Deal’s public transport commitments include delivering improvements to local bus services by developing an efficient integrated bus network to meet the needs of a growing economy and one that is financially sustainable for fare payers, the taxpayer and bus operators.  A simple, affordable commercial fare structure and inter-operable smart ticketing scheme; and real time information improvements across South Yorkshire are also proposed.  These developments mean that the SYPTE has increased control and influence over the network and is able to offer customers better value for money “smart” tickets.

> Service/timetable alterations (which occur three times per year) are next due in September 2015.  Details will be issued during July/August to Councillors, so they are aware of the changes prior to the general public being made aware.

> The SYPTE communications team has responsibility for responding to public transport enquiries from the Elected Members of local authorities.  Councillors (not the general public) should use communications@sypte.co.uk so that there is always someone available to pick up any correspondence.  This is not for the general public who should continue to contact Traveline on 01709 515151 or traveline@sypte.co.uk .

> The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme (linking Rotherham-Meadowhall-Sheffield) is being delayed by bridge works at Tinsley but is expected to start operating in April/May 2016.

> Councillors asked about the poor performance of Tate’s Travel in the Dearne Valley area.  SYPTE advised of concerns about Tate’s Travel meeting the standards expected by the SYPTE, who will ensure that Tate’s Travel are aware of their contractual obligations. SYPTE will continue to assist Tate’s Travel to put positive changes in place across their whole network in the hope this will improve the quality of service they currently provide. Additionally, SYPTE has been in discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for a number of months regarding concerns with that Company. The SYPTE has limited authority to influence journeys which are not subsidised, but understand that the DVSA has undertaken its own monitoring and will report to the Traffic Commissioner, who has powers to fine or withdraw operating licences from bus companies.

> Parish Councillors had raised the absence of forums for public debate about transport services (eg: the demise of the South Rotherham Rural Transport Group). It was suggested that issues could be raised either by Elected Members at meetings of this Transport Group or directly with the SYPTE and also at Area Assembly meetings and Parish Liaison meetings organised by the Borough Council. The publication of newsletters would assist with the dissemination of information to the public.

(4) Rotherham Community Transport – no report.

(5) Northern Rail - no report. Northern Rail will be asked to confirm that their appropriate personnel (eg: drivers, guards, staff on trains and station-based staff) will all have received awareness-raising training in respect of risks of child sexual exploitation.

(6) Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport - Consideration was given to the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Robin Hood Airport Consultative Committee held on 16th April, 2015. The contents of these minutes were noted.