Sustainable Transport Service
Draft
Meeting Minutes
Subject: Quality Bus Partnership Meeting
Date and Time of 8 September 2011 16:00 hrs – 18:00 hrs Meeting: Location: The Guildhall Committee Room 1 Initials Present: John Carr (Independent Chair) JDC Andrew Bradley (CYC) AB Steve Burrell (NYP) SB Keith Chapman (YIL Network + Bus Users UK) KC Ben Gilligan (First) BG Geoff Lomax (Transdev Blazefield) GL Dean Maude (First) DM Keith McNally (CPT – UK) KMcN Dave Merrett (Cabinet Member) DMM Claire Robinson (EYMS) CR Richard Startup (York Pullman) RS Chris Steward (Shadow Cabinet Member) CS Keith Sykes (Transdev) KS Peter Taylor (First West & North Yorkshire) PT Craig Temple + 1 (Harrogate Coach Travel) CT Michael Watson (Arriva) MW Richard Wood (CYC) RW
One member of the general public
In attendance: Gillian Evans (CYC – Notetaker) GE
Circulation: As above.
Item Action
1.0 Apologies for absence /not attending: Paul Brand (CYC) John Duff (Reliance) Tom Horner (CYC) Brian Nye (Bus Users UK) Bob Rackley (EYMS)
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Item Action Diane Rowarth (YILN/YB & PSS)
2.0 Approval of minutes of the previous meeting dated 9 June 2011
2.1 Agreed, with the exception of item 6.1 which was supplemented by the following: • Transdev – smart ticketing machines will be installed during 2012.
3.0 Update of matters arising from previous minutes
3.1 Audio announcements on buses
First confirmed that their FTR vehicles have the capacity to AB (CYC)/First deliver audio announcements. However, AB offered to pass Diane Rowarth’s (YILN/YB&PSS) contact details to P Taylor (First) in order to arrange a trial of the audio announcements system.
3.2 Derwenthorpe
AB agreed to circulate a map of the development to any QBP AB (CYC) members requesting one and confirmed that developer contributions would be secured against this scheme for the provision of bus services.
4.0 Local Sustainable Transport Fund
4.1 It was confirmed CYC had been successful in gaining £4.645m funding for the next four years – April 2011 – 2015 for transport schemes. Funding would be split 55% revenue / 45% capital. See 1) http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/local-authorities/funding/ 2) http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press- 20110204 3) Local Sustainable Transport Fund - Projects approved for funding for further details.
Public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure improvements as well as personal, school and business travel plans would receive a strong focus. The northern quadrant of the City would be prioritised due to the identified high car use, out of town retail and business opportunities and areas of depravation. Clifton Moor and Monks Cross business/retail parks are to be targeted.
Proposed public transport projects included: • Expansion of real time information across the York bus network. • New real time information displays – e.g. at Clifton Moor, Monks Cross and across the northern area of City. • An “app” for Smart mobile phones offering public transport information. • Bus stop infrastructure improvements in York. • New timetable information boards and composite bus timetables. Development of paper-based information at bus
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Item Action stops to supplement on-line data which is available via the web and mobile telephones. • Development of the SCOOT (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique – Urban traffic control system) – to improve priority for buses at traffic light junctions (if running late) at locations such as Wigginton Road, Clifton Moorgate, Bumper Castle, Wigginton Road, Huntington Road and Haley’s Terrace.
It was noted ‘green’ lights would be held for only 5-6 seconds to allow a bus to pass through.
4.2 It was noted the Marketing Sub-Group of the QBP is to QBP Marketing determine a strategy for improved presentation of bus timetable Sub Group and related information at bus stops and online.
5.0 Integrated Ticketing Update
5.1 A consultation meeting with bus operators took place on 8 September 2011 to discuss: 1) The area in which the scheme would operate – to be within City of York boundaries. 2) The cost - £5 daily ticket and £20 weekly ticket (provisional) . As per the West Yorkshire ticketing model, only adult and family day tickets would be available. It was noted that the family day ticket would apply to up to 5 people with not more than 2 being adults. In addition, the tickets will not initially be available “off” bus. 3) Name of ticket – “All day/All week/All York” were proposed 4) Mechanics of marketing the daily and weekly ticket by bus operators and the Council.
Dean Maude agreed to consult with colleagues within First DM Group to confirm that the proposed ticketing arrangements met with the terms of the Block Ticketing Exemption. Bus operators are to respond to the Council confirming that they Bus Operators agree to the pricing point for the ticket and the proposed reimbursement arrangements.
Keith McNally (CPT) emphasised the importance of ensuring CYC that all smaller bus operators (not represented at the QBP) were consulted and agreed to the proposals (eg Stephensons, Utopia and John Smith and sons).
It was noted that the integrated ticketing system would not be complex for passengers to understand and that those with special needs would be taken into account.
6.0 Serving Coaches
6.1 Keith McNally (CPT) was asked to co-ordinate a Coach Working K McN (CPT) Group to examine coach issues including: • Issues & opportunities resulting from the York Central Project • Shortage of kerb space in York – and the implications for coaches and taxis.
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Item Action • National scheduled coach services • Loss of Coach Concessionary Fares Discount Scheme – 31 October 2011.
6.2 It was confirmed the Rail franchising timetable needed to be CYC examined with regard to traffic issues.
7.0 Central area traffic management and enforcement issues
7.1 Feasibility work is currently being undertaken with regard to use of camera enforcement and the use of Traffic Regulations. Consultation was currently taking place with Durham and Oxford.
Cllr Merrett reasserted the Council’s commitment to improve enforcement of the Coppergate area. It was noted that the Council’s ‘City Centre Movement and Accessibility Framework’ would be published shortly which would impact on this issue.
8.0 Consulting the general public
8.1 Bus Users UK tabled a proposal for a stronger consultation process with the general public – i.e. bus passengers and requested that adequate resources be made available for this purpose. In effect, bus operators, the Council and the general public need to work together so passengers may present their views on how services are provided. In addition, a “strong” chair was stated as being required to ensure that proceedings run smoothly. Suggestions made included: • Holding periodic forum meetings throughout the year with the general public, Bus Operators and Council Officers. • Bus Users Surgeries – as operated in West Yorkshire at Leeds, Bradford and Halifax bus stations. • Public meetings held every 4 weeks before bus service changes are implemented (an example was given of a successful recent meeting attended by H Bayley MP and the First Managing Director Ian Humphreys). • Parish Council meetings may be used as a forum. • Engage with bus users on an area by area basis through Parish Councils or Ward Committees.
8.2 Aside from the ongoing issues surrounding network changes/development, two issues requiring publicity and consultation were raised:. • The integrated ticket – to promote the product and ensure CYC that it is marketed in such a way that those people who will most benefit from the product will get to hear about it. • Local Sustainable Transport Fund - Consultation with CYC residents/bus user groups on the best use of funds was suggested.
9.0 Performance Group update
9.1 It was noted a number of recent meetings had been cancelled
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Item Action (in part due to the CYC election). On-going issues included : • Traffic management in the City Centre • Development sites • LSTF spending issues • Performance and reliability • Impact of ticket machine upgrades
10.0 Development Update
10.1 Monks Cross
Two planning applications are shortly to be submitted for the Monks Cross area. The first is for expansion of the existing Monks Cross retail park, the second is for a new Stadium and enabling retail development to be sited on the existing York Knights rugby league ground and opposite the Park & Ride site respectively.
10.2 Derwenthorpe
It was confirmed building had now commenced on phase 1 of the development and that the development would be completed in four stages. A developer contribution of £240,000 for bus service support has been secured by the Council and will be released incrementally from the first occupation of any of the remaining three phases.
10.3 Germany Beck – Area to the east of Fulford Road
This land has been earmarked for development of 675 residential units.
10.4 A number of meetings have been held to consult with bus CYC/Bus operators on the various development projects. Any operator operators requiring further information on any of the above should contact Andrew Bradley in the first instance to discuss further.
11.0 Any other Business
11.1 Access York Park and Ride
City of York Council remains committed to three project sites in the City, but at present are concentrating on two particular Park and Ride sites - Poppleton Road (A59) and expansion of the Askham Bar Park & Ride site.
DfT funding is being sought for the two sites in York. The Local Authority’s contribution has been increased by £2.9M to reduce the contribution requested from the Department for Transport (DfT). The bid was submitted to the DfT on 9 September 2011 with a decision due in December 2011.
12.0 Date of next meeting and Preferred dates and times for 2012
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Item Action 12.1 Wednesday 23 November 2011 16.00 hrs – 18.00 hrs. All to note
12.2 Dates for 2012 – To be confirmed. Comments/suggestions included : CYC • Avoiding possible clashes with full Council and Planning Committee meetings. • A change in the start time from 4 pm to 4.30 pm.
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