Eastleigh Public Transport Policy – Borough-wide Strategic Bus Network 2008-2011

1. Introduction

1.1 This paper aims to highlight how Borough Council (EBC) should allocate its limited financial resources to topping up and subsidising bus services in line with Local Transport Plan 2 (LTP2) and its own accessibility criteria.

1.2 The Eastleigh Passenger Transport Area Review was undertaken in early 2007 by County Council to help ensure that the range of transport services Hampshire County Council (HCC) supported keeps pace with changing travel needs, provides residents with a sustainable and affordable service and gives good access to essential services.

1.3 Costs within the bus industry are rising more steeply than local authority funding; the pressures are mainly due to increases in driver wages, fuel prices and insurance. These cost increases continue to put the County’s bus subsidy budget under pressure. Additionally both HCC and City Council (SCC) cut bus service subsidy in 2007.

1.4 This in turn puts pressure on the limited discretionary resources of EBC and gives rise to the opportunity to prioritise previously reactionary piecemeal funding.

2. Local Transport Plan, Regional Guidance and Local Planning Frameworks

2.1 The majority of bus services in the are operated by Go South Coast and approximately 85% of all services are operated commercially without subsidy from either Hampshire County Council or Eastleigh Borough Council.

2.2 The Go-Ahead Group took control of the former Solent Blue Line in August 2005. Bluestar is the brand name for Go South Coast's key inter-urban and commuter route network into Southampton from , Eastleigh, and . Bluestar services feature specially branded vehicles bearing a contemporary Bluestar star logo and supported by an interactive website, including stop-by-stop timetables. The Red Rocket Concept brand of midibus services based in Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford and Hedge End commenced in September 2006 with the network taking in additional routes in February and September 2007.

2.3 In addition to Go South Coast’s network, First Hampshire & Dorset operates a number of services within the Borough including service 16 linking Hamble-le-Rice and Netley with Southampton and service 8A which provides a 20 minute frequency between Dowd’s Farm, The Rose Bowl, West End and Southampton.

2.4 First also operate service 72 between and Southampton, which passes through Lowford, service 78 & 79 between and Southampton, which passes through Windhover and Lowford, and service 80 between Southampton & Fareham via Lowford. Services 72,78,79 & 80 are financially supported by Hampshire County Council. Finally, First operate service 26 between Fareham and Hedge End via Botley.

2.5 Service 65 links Eastleigh with Romsey and Salisbury and is operated by Wilts and Dorset which is also part of the Go-Ahead Group.

2.6 The County Council has an influential role in improving services that are provided under contract. This creates a visible and integrated network of both commercial and supported services through the provision of high quality infrastructure, especially at interchanges

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 1 2.7 Current legislation (Transport Act 1985) expects bus operators to provide commercial services where possible. The role of local authorities is to analyse the commercial network and tender for socially necessary services. Gaps in service provision may need to be filled at certain times of day or days of the week as well as places which are left completely without commercial services.

2.8 The bus network is dynamic; operators are required to give eight weeks’ notice of changes to commercial services. Withdrawal of a commercial service requires quick action to determine the case for support and arrange a replacement service, if funding is available.

2.9 Cost pressures and declining passenger numbers in rural and some urban areas have led operators to withdraw the worst-performing commercial services. The County Council cut £500,000 from supporting local bus services in 2007. This left much of the Borough without any evening and Sunday services which EBC funded out its existing public transport budget.

3. Existing Subsidised Bus Network

3.1 The services funded by Hampshire County Council from September 2007 are set out in Table 1.

3.2 Whilst EBC has no statutory obligation to provide subsidies for local bus services the Council has taken the decision to support certain local services which are deemed socially necessary and do not meet the current criterion set for a County Council Subsidy but may meet other strategic, land use or operational objectives – for example maintaining accessibility. In addition to these direct subsidies the Council also provides top-up funding for certain HCC contracts in the area. The subsidies paid by EBC are set out in table 2.

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 2 Table 1: Services Funded by HCC (September 2007)

Operator Service No Contracted Route and Funded Journeys Notes Times (some routes continue without subsidy) Go South Bluestar 3 Hedge End – Botley Mon-Sat Eves Coast Go South Bluestar 3 Hedge End – Botley Sundays Coast Brijan Tours 7 Southampton – West Mon-Sat alternative Joint funded with End – Bishops Waltham jrnys Southampton City Council. See table 2 Brijan Tours 8 Eastleigh – Botley - Mon-Sat entire Bishops Waltham service First Hants & 8A Service extension Rose Mon-Sat New service extended Dorset Bowl – Dowd’s Farm for 5yrs from 02.09.07. First Hants & 16 Southampton - Hamble Sunday Daytime Dorset Brijan Tours 17 Bishops Waltham – Mon-Sat entire (entire service service) First Hants & 24 Soton – IBM Mon-Fri peak Joint funded with Dorset Commuter Service Southampton City Council First Hants & 25 Boorley – Green – Mon- Sat service Joint funded with Dorset Hedge End - Woolston

See table 2 Go South Red Rocket Eastleigh - Hamble Mon-Sat Daytime & Coast A Eves

Go South Red Rocket Eastleigh- Hamble Sundays Early Weekday School Coast A (Sundays) Holiday & Winter Sundays funded by

See table 2 Go South Red Rocket Asda – Hiltingbury Mon-Sat Eastleigh – Asda Coast D section of route section ran commercially Go South Red Eastleigh – Boyatt Wood (Mon- Sat daytime Formally services 49, Coast Rocket E – Winchester and eves) 49A, 49B Go South Red Rocket Eastleigh- Bishops Mon- Sat service Formally service 43 Coast F Waltham – Waltham Chase Go South 507 Valley Park - Toynbee Schooldays Coast School Barfoot 542 – Hamble Schooldays Community Sports College Barfoot 543 Lowford – Netley Infant Schooldays & Junior First Hants & 616 Hamble School Service Schooldays Dorset Brijan 654 St CE Schooldays Primary School Brijan A1 Bishopstoke – Wyvern- Schooldays Stoke Park infant and junior school Brijan A2 Wyvern – Fair Oak Schooldays Junior - Bishopstoke Sapphire Taxibus Chalvington Road – Mon-Sat Joint funded with Eastleigh Car Share

Sapphire Taxibus Campbell Road – Mon-Sat Joint funded with Eastleigh Car Share

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 3 Table 2: Services Subsidised by Eastleigh Borough Council (September 2007)

Service Operator Route Journeys Subsidised

Bluestar 2 Go South Soton – Fair Oak - Sunday Joint funded with Coast Southampton City Council Red Rocket A Go South Eastleigh – Mansbridge – West End Early school holiday Coast – Hedge End – Bursledon – Netley - morning and winter Hamble Sundays

Red Rocket C Go South Eastleigh- Velmore Estate – 1 Journey Mon-Thurs Coast Chandler’s Ford – Oakmount Road – Eves, 5 Journeys Fri & Fryern Hill (Mon – Sat Eves) Sat Eves

Red Rocket C Go South Eastleigh- Velmore Estate – Sundays – 5 journeys Coast Chandler’s Ford – Oakmount Road – each way Fryern Hill

Red Rocket E Go South Eastleigh – Shakespeare Road - Sundays – 5 journeys Coast Boyatt Wood – – Badger each way Farm - Winchester

16 First Hants & Southampton – Woolston - Netley – Butlocks Heath Dorset Butlocks Heath - Hamble Diversion

16/17a First Hants & Soton- Hamble (Mon-Sat Eves) Joint funded with Dorset Southampton City Council 16 First Hants & Soton- Hamble (Sundays) Joint funded with Dorset Southampton City Council 25 First Hants & Boorley – Green – Hedge End - Joint funded with Dorset Woolston Hampshire County Council 56 First Hants & Thursday Eastleigh Market Bus Thursdays (3 journeys Dorset each way) N6 First Hants & Nitebus Service Fri/Sat Nights Dorset Southampton- West End- Hedge End (North)- Botley

N7 First Hants & Nitebus Service Fri/Sat Nights Dorset Southampton- Bursledon- Netley- Hamble 501 Go South Thorndean School service School Service Coast Taxibus Sapphire Chalvington Road – Eastleigh Car Joint funded with Share Hampshire County Council Taxibus Sapphire Campbell Road – Eastleigh Car Joint funded with Share Hampshire County Council

4. Services Subsidised by Eastleigh Borough Council

4.1 EBC subsidises the costs of operating Nitebus Services N6 & N7. Up until September 2004 EBC also operated N5, which was taken over commercially as services Nightstar 1 & Nightstar 2 which replicated the equivalent Bluestar services. In line with new licensing laws introduced in late 2005 additional 0315 departures were introduced on Saturdays in April 2006 and Fridays in September 2006 following a re-tender of the service won by First Hants and Dorset. EBC successfully secured Community Safety Partnership funding towards these services.

4.2 Thursday Market Bus Services were re-tendered in early 2006. The nature of commercial bus service provision made service 58 (Hamble- Hedge End- Eastleigh) unviable and in potential conflict with the Transport Act (1985) and was catered for along most of the route by Red Rocket A (formally 9a). Those sections that were not covered by existing commercial services were mopped up by an extension to the route of the 56, which links Eastleigh to Windhover, Fair Oak and Botley. This service will be kept under review to assess the impact of concessionary fares passes on ridership.

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4.3 From September 2007 EBC took on the responsibility of funding some services previously supported by Hampshire County Council. This included service 16 (Southampton-Hamble) after 1800 seven days a week jointly with Southampton City Council, Evening operation of Red Rocket C (Eastleigh- Chandler’s Ford) and Sunday evening services on Bluestar 2 (Fair Oak – Southampton). The withdrawal of funding from HCC due to overspending of non- highway related departments is disappointing in terms of catering for the overall transport need.

4.4 From the same date EBC ceased funding Friday and Saturday evening service 7a (Bishops Waltham – Southampton) due to low ridership, limited incursion into the Borough and that the majority of passengers boarded within Southampton city boundaries where alternatives exist. EBC also joint funds service 25 (Boorley Green – Hedge End – Woolston) and two taxibus schemes with HCC as well providing certain journeys on the Red Rocket A via HCC’s contract.

5. Quality Bus Partnership Routes

5.1 Bluestar Service 1, 2 and 3 along with service 16 are Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) routes on which the local authorities work the service operators to provide good quality services and vehicles along with on-street infrastructure (bus stops, shelters, access kerbs etc) as well as information both at stop and through electronic means including text messaging and real time information.

5.2 EBC works with operators and the County Council in this respect however there are concerns that reduced subsidy from HCC on QBP routes as part of overall budget cuts may affect the viability of the overall service provided. QBP routes need to be of a suitable frequency seven days a week, including evenings and not just at peak times.

6. Passenger Transport Area Reviews

6.1 Within LTP2, Hampshire County Council states that bus industry costs are forecast to continue to rise. This is accompanied by uncertainty over Government revenue funding for bus support. In this climate HCC consider it as crucial that it reviews its current service provision and demonstrates that: • It is achieving value for money; • Subsidy payments are open and transparent; • Spending is undertaken within the context of LTP2 and Bus Strategy objectives; • The optimum balance is achieved between conventional and innovative services; • The relationship between secured and commercial services achieves the best possible efficiency; • Funds are used to address the unmet needs of Hampshire residents.

6.2 The new approach by Hampshire County Council combines practical desk-top inputs based on local knowledge and expertise, with a new model for the County Council that is designed to test Value for Money and to encourage operator flexibility in service procurement. The greater flexibility includes: • Increasing and more effective use of ‘unconventional’ transport such as taxis, Community Transport, shared cars and demand responsive services; • Taking an ‘integrated’ approach in partnership with commercial bus operators; The aim is to maintain the viability and attractiveness of bus services through improving journey times, ease of use and improved coordination; • Marketing and promotional efforts, including ticketing initiatives, to reverse long term passenger loss.

6.3 With the cooperation of the major bus operators, the reviews consider both those services that are financially supported by the County Council and those that are operated on a wholly commercial basis in association with the Council. The model is intended to be an interactive tool to assist the assessment of utility and value for money of different

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 5 options for public transport services, in terms of both mode and level of service. It will form part of a framework for decisions on resource allocation and will accommodate: • The application of minimum standards of service; • An assessment of service development proposals aimed at increasing public transport use. In so doing, it will not only aid the County Council in securing socially necessary public transport services which are not provided commercially, but also help fulfill a key role in achieving its corporate targets and wider policy objectives.

7. HCC Prioritised Bus Network

7.1 LTP2 identifies a hierarchy of bus services within Hampshire, comprising a Frontline network, a subsidiary network and a social network.

Frontline network

7.2 Strategic services that cater for key interurban links or high-volume urban flows. These usually operate on a commercial basis and carry the majority of passengers. Investment will normally be capital in nature and aimed at meeting patronage growth targets or ensuring a coherent, identifiable and functional network. Many services are likely to be suitable for QBP development and revenue support is envisaged as minimal.

Subsidiary network

7.3 Other regular bus services, often local in nature and either marginally commercial or supported by the County Council. Night services could feature here. Investment is likely to be primarily for revenue support although there may be some capital expenditure where a case can be made, in particular as part of creating a functional countywide network. Support is mainly targeted at addressing social inclusion and, in a number of limited cases, promoting passenger growth. These services may be suitable for re-planning through a Quality Network or Contract approach.

Social network

7.4 Services that are often less frequent in nature and feed into other parts of the network, particularly frontline services. The majority serve rural areas whilst some serve isolated residential areas in a more urban setting. They exist primarily to ensure social inclusion, although their existence may also reduce the need for car use. Such services are almost always supported by the County Council and are not necessarily operated by a conventional bus.

8. Eastleigh Strategic Network

8.1 Within the context of rising costs of bus operation and the limited resource of the County Council, the way Eastleigh Borough Council funds public transport services needs to be prioritised to achieve overall best value that is in line with the aspirations of the Council but that also supports the aims of the Local Transport Plan 2.

8.2 Regard also has to be made on issue of accessibility by public transport to various areas of the Borough. Such accessibility criteria is applied when assessing applications for new development, including parking provision based on public transport accessibility. To this end the Borough Council and HCC through its planning and LTP framework need to work within budgets to maintain such accessibility.

8.3 Until 2007, the funding of services by Eastleigh Borough Council evolved in a piecemeal manner over time. At the time HCC renewed its subsidies of local bus and transport services in Eastleigh Borough it seemed timely that a criteria for top –up funding provided by limited resources allows for a clear and transparent allocation of funds dependant upon priorities consistent with policy.

8.4 Whilst EBC acknowledges the HCC criterion and supports it the criteria for Eastleigh on this basis applies to revenue funding only for bus services and not the overall public transport

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 6 infrastructure. Therefore the priority here is on pure bus service provision rather that the overall “package” of service and infrastructure.

8.5 EBC does provide for infrastructure improvements alongside the County Council through the Quality Bus Partnership and maintains much of the street infrastructure, including Eastleigh Bus Station. In addition developers contributions and the public transport initiatives budget allows for additional infrastructure to be provided. These funds will continue to be used for this purpose.

8.6 The main priorities in supporting local bus services to, from, within and through the Borough are to maintain connections to main centres of population. The strategic network typically constitutes services operating a regular frequency at or above 1 bus per hour during daytime with additional evening and Sunday services, albeit at a reduced rate. The services are referred to as the Strategic Bus Network for Eastleigh – maintaining connections between nodes, centres of employment, housing and leisure. This means supporting commercial (HCC frontline) services and HCC subsidised services. Where budgets allow EBC can identify funding for service improvements in consultation with operators, HCC and users. This strategic network is highlighted at Table3.

8.7 The identification of a strategic network is not an open chequebook for bus operators or the County Council. EBC sees this network as falling mainly into the frontline network identified by HCC or into the subsidised category and any bid for funding from EBC towards such provision needs to be justified in respect of this policy. EBC should not be disadvantaged due to the fact it makes discretionary provision for bus operation whereas other districts within the County do not. EBC top-up funding is exactly that and is provided to add extra value to HCC funding, not to replace it.

8.8 The majority of services in the strategic list provide main links between settlements within the Borough and other desirable nodes, notably Southampton, a major attractor regionally for travel. Modal transfer to other forms of transport than the car can only be achieved through reliable regular linkages by all forms of transport. Red Rocket branded Routes A & C primarily form north-south connections through the Borough cementing the strategic network.

8.9 Red Rocket E provides an essential link between the Borough and facilities in Winchester including health and shopping facilities and whilst the service may not flourish commercially Eastleigh Borough Council would wish to see this service continue at its present service level as a minimum.

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 7 Table 3: Strategic Bus Network for the Borough of Eastleigh

Service No Quality Operator Strategic Connection Daytime Evening Sun Bus P’ship Freq. Freq. Freq. Route? (mins) (mins) (mins) Red Rocket No Go South Coast Eastleigh – Mansbridge 30 60 60 A – West End – Hedge End 60 120 120 – Bursledon – Netley - Hamble Red Rocket No Go South Coast Eastleigh- Velmore 20 1 jrnys 120 C Estate – Chandler’s (mon-thurs) Ford – Oakmount Road – Fryern Hill 60 (Fri & Sat Only) Bluestar 1 Yes Go South Coast Winchester – 20 60 30 (Bluestar Brand) Otterbourne – Fryern Hill – Chandler’s Ford – Bassett - Southampton Bluestar 2 Yes Go South Coast Fair Oak – Bishopstoke 15 60 30 – Eastleigh – Swaythling - Southampton Bluestar 3 Yes Go South Coast Oaklands Estate – 20 60 60 Hedge End- Thornhill Park Road – Bitterne - Southampton 8A No First Hants & Southampton – Bitterne 20 60 60 Dorset – West End – Moorgreen Hospital – Rose Bowl – Hedge End Station – Dowd’s Farm

16 Yes First Hants & Southampton – 20 60 60 Dorset Woolston - Netley – Butlocks Heath - (30 sat) Hamble

Red No Go South Coast Eastleigh – 60 120 120 Rocket E Shakespeare Road - Boyatt Wood – Otterbourne – Badger Farm - Winchester 69 No Stagecoach Winchester- Twyford- 60 Partial/ 180 Hampshire Colden Common- Fair irregular Oak- Bishops Waltham- Fareham

72 No First Hants & Southampton – Lowford 60 1 jrny 120 Dorset – Swanwick – Locks Heath – Gosport 80 No First Hants & Southampton – 60 60 - Dorset Windhover – Lowford – Swanwick – – Locks Heath – Fareham

New - - Eastleigh Town - - - Centre/Southampton Airport Parkway to Chandler’s Ford Link

9. Social Dividend Routes

9.1 Social Dividend Routes are classed as those services, which provide an hourly, or less daytime service but with limited evening and Sunday services. These services generally will not fulfil the criteria of HCC funding but provide a social linkage, which should ideally be maintained.

9.2 Such services could consist of services linking communities with shopping and civic amenities, such as outlying estates with poor private mobility or night services which allow younger residents to enjoy a night out with safe, cheap, reliable transport home, encouraging them to remain resident in the Borough whilst enjoying access to leisure facilities within a

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 8 wider regional context. These services also provide links to outside of the Borough for commuting/ leisure interests.

Table 4: Proposed Eastleigh Social Dividend Services

Ser. No QBP Operator Route Freq Freq Freq Comments Rte Day Eve Sun

Red No Go South Coast Eastleigh- Shakespeare 30 - - Service cut Rocket B Road- Bosville- Boyatt Woo- from 20 to 30 St Catherine’s Road- min freq Feb Eastleigh 2007

7 No Brijan Tours Southampton – West End – 60 - - HCC Eastleigh Bishops Waltham Area Contract

8 No Brijan Tours Eastleigh – Botley – Bishop’s 60 - - HCC Eastleigh Waltham Area Contract

25 No First Hants and Hedge End and Boorley 60/120 - - Part funded by Dorset Green Local Service

26 No First Hants & Hedge End – Botley – 7-8 - - HCC Fareham Dorset Swanwick – – jnys area contract Segensworth – Fareham per day Red No Go South Coast Eastleigh – Stoke Common – 60 on - 3 HCC Eastleigh Rocket F Bishops Waltham some jrnys Area Contract sectio ns Red No Go South Coast Eastleigh – Chestnut Avenue 60 - - Rocket D – Valley Park – Hiltingbury – Chandler’s Ford

46 No Stagecoach Winchester – Hiltingbury – 120 - - Southampton

56 No First Hants & Windhover- Lowford- Botley- 3 jrnys - - Funded by Dorset Fair Oak- Bishopstoke- Thu Eastleigh (Thursdays Only) only

65 No Wilts & Dorset Eastleigh- Nightingale 60 - - HCC Romsey Avenue- Templars Way- Area Contract North Baddesley- Romsey

78/79 No First Hants & Southampton – Windhover – 60 - 60 HCC Fareham Dorset Lowford – Swanwick – Area Contract Warsash – Locks Heath – (120) Fareham sat)

N6 n/a First Hants & Southampton- West End- - 4 - funded by Dorset Hedge End (North)- Botley jrnys fri & sat only

N7 n/a First Hants & Southampton- Bursledon- - 4 - funded by Dorset Netley- Hamble jrnys fri & sat only n/a n/a Saphhire Campbell Road – Eastleigh n/a n/a n/a Car Share n/a n/a Saphhire Chalvington Road – Eastleigh n/a n/a n/a Car Share

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 9 9.3 The Social Dividend network is subject to funding within budgets available to EBC in terms of supporting services but are secondary to maintaining the strategic network and hence will be regularly reviewed where EBC provides all or some subsidy.

9.4 In terms of meeting transport needs EBC would be willing to support HCC and transport providers in investigation, and where viable supporting alternative transport services identified within LTP2, including demand responsive, taxi car and other schemes. It may be that where traditional bus services once provided a role the changing nature of access to these services mean a less traditional approach may be required that may take the form of a traditional bus service or part of a new type of transport provision.

9.5 Various services within the social dividend network provide local links rather than strategic ones which are important to the communities they serve. For example Red Rocket A, Services 8 and 25 provide cross Hedge End linkages without which some parts of the community would not be severed.

9.6 Red Rocket D provides a key local link to the strategic network, especially linking to Hiltingbury. The strategic network in this context for the Chandler’s Ford area is provided via Bluestar 1 and Red Rocket C, these linkages increase the limited transport opportunities in this area. There is potential for Red Rocket D jointly interworking either with service 65 or through improved frequency in its own right to grow patronage along the line of route which includes business, education and other uses.

9.7 The same is true for Stagecoach service 69, which provides local linkages between Twyford, Fair Oak, Winchester/Fareham connecting to other frontline/strategic services.

10. New Services

10.1 The style and pattern of services within Eastleigh has faired well in terms of changing to market conditions over the past few years with the introduction of Bluestar and more recently Red Rocket services. This fairs favourably in terms of much of Hampshire, which still shadows a network from the mid 1980’s. This presents both opportunities and threats. Opportunities in making new sites more accessible to all transport modes including buses and threats in some local nodes being missed out due to the perceived non commercial nature of the services. These latter services could benefit from pump priming initiatives such as the Kick Start programme to extend or amend existing services so that, in time such services grow a market and support themselves.

10.2 The Dowd’s Farm development near Hedge End allows for the development of over 750 dwellings between 2006 and 2011. Developer’s contributions exist to support existing services over a five-year period and as a result of the HCC tender exercise service 8A was extended to serve this development from September 2007 linking the development with Hedge End Station, West End and Southampton.

10.3 In 2006 Eastleigh Borough Council, Southampton University and B&Q joint funded a study examining linking Eastleigh Town Centre/ Southampton Airport Parkway and Chandler’s Ford to assist employees from Chandler’s Ford accessing Southampton Airport Parkway Station as well as students from the University accessing Wide Lane Sports Centre. In addition the study evaluated connecting either end of the route with existing education uses along Chestnut Avenue and residential areas. The study included providing a stand-alone service or connecting to an improved service 65, red rocket D or extended U1A. This work continues with both businesses and operators in terms of developing a public transport offer that meets the needs of the Chandler’s Ford Commuter Forum as well as the wider travelling public.

10.4 The strategic development area to the south of Eastleigh Town Centre is being put forward for development during the period upto 2011 and beyond as part of the Eastleigh Town Centre Action Plan and the largest brownfield site in the South East known as the Strategic Employment Zone. Public transport services in the Borough may have to be amended to take into account any new development. Accordingly the Partnership for an Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) work proposing major development up until 2020 near

Version 1.1 August 2007 Page 10 Hedge End of further residential housing will again need the tailoring of public transport services to reflect changing patterns of demand.

11. Vehicle Standards

11.1 Eastleigh Borough Council has assisted in improving overall vehicle standards through involvement in Quality Bus Partnership Schemes such as improved vehicles and marketing on service 16 connecting Southampton and Hamble and involvement in improving infrastructure on Blue Star and Red Rocket Routes identified in Table 3.

11.2 An increase in the number of low floor vehicles would assist the overall attractiveness of buses in the area although it is acknowledged that bus operators try to deliver maximum benefit from limited resources in this respect.

12. Conclusion

12.1 Eastleigh Borough Council has produced this policy to focus the limited discretionary funding towards providing bus services within the Borough. The strategic network aims to, in light of revised HCC funding, changes in the commercial network and the continuing changes in the nature of bus service operation provide clear and transparent guidance as to how public transport support funding will be allocated in the Borough.

Draft Version 1.2 2nd September 2007

Paul Walker Transport & Development Control Manager Eastleigh Borough Council Transportation & Engineering Unit Civic Offices Leigh Road EASTLEIGH Hampshire SO50 9YN Tel: 02380 688278 Fax: 02380 688336 Email: [email protected] www.eastleigh.gov.uk

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