Transport Planning Unit
Meeting Minutes
Subject: Quality Bus Partnership Meeting
Date and Time of 9 June 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 Paul Brand (CYC) PB Steve Burrell (NYP) SB Stuart Irwin (Bus Users UK) SI Geoff Lomax (Transdev Blazefield) GL Dean Maude (First) DM Keith McNally (CPT – UK) KMcN Dave M Merrett (Cabinet Member) DMM Nigel Purssell (CYC) NP Bob Rackley (EYMS) BR Diane Rowarth (YILN/ YB & PSS) DR Richard Startup (York Pullman) RS Chris Steward (Shadow Cabinet Member) CS Keith Sykes (Transdev) KS Peter Taylor (First West & North Yorkshire) PT Michael Watson (Arriva) MW
Gillian Evans (CYC – Notetaker) GE Circulation: As above.
Item Action
1.0 Apologies for absence /not attending:
Keith Chapman (Bus Users UK) John Duff (Reliance) Ben Gilligan (First West & North Yorkshire) Tom Horner (CYC) Tom James (York Pullman)
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Item Action
Colin Newbury (Arriva) Brian Nye (Bus Users UK) Rachel Simpson (Stephensons) Craig Temple (Harrogate Coach Travel)
2.0 Approval of minutes of the previous meeting dated 24 March 2011
2.1 Agreed.
3.0 Update of matters arising from previous minutes
3.1 Audio announcements on buses (3.1 previous minutes)
3.1.1 It was confirmed that difficulties were arising with audio/visual ACIS facilities on buses (e.g. on Transdev vehicles). It was stated ACIS are developing an alternative system.
3.1.2 It was requested that audio announcements be available permanently on buses. In addition, it was noted ftr buses did not have visual announcements at every stop.
3.1.3 First agreed to investigate the issue of “fobs” for blind and P Taylor/First partially sighted people not working correctly on buses.
3.2 York Independent Living Network Representative (9.1 previous minutes)
3.2.1 Appreciation was expressed that a representative from this network be involved at the start of strategic public transport issues, rather than being consulted at a later stage.
3.3 Marketing Sub-Group (10.2 previous minutes)
3.3.1 • It was stated a Work Programme needed to be established for this group to include: • Integrated ticketing • Real Time Passenger Information displays at bus stops QBP Noted: Destination screens – contract being renewed Marketing Group • Presentation issues • Information at bus stops (The Council’s bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund to finance improved information was noted) • ‘Your Next Bus’ (SMS and WAP information)
4.0 A York Labour Party Policy Overview for buses
4.1 Cllr Merrett outlined the Labour Group’s policy, as per the party’s May 2011 election manifesto: • Prioritise improvements in the City e.g. pedestrianisation. • Reduce traffic congestion and improve bus services in the City. • Introduce a multi-operator bus ticket.
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Item Action
• Deliver a bus quality contract. • Address air quality issues – Keen to work with operators to deliver improvements to York’s bus fleet and to deliver emissions reductions. • Identify appropriate public transport nodes / hubs to serve existing and planned retail / housing developments in York. • In summary, the Council members wished to work in partnership with bus operators to provide improved bus services.
5.0 Integrated ticketing update and proposed questionnaire
5.1 Feedback on the questionnaire and intended methodology was requested from the QBP.
5.2 • It was noted data was to be collected only between 7.30 am – 6.30 pm. In addition no postal deliveries were to be made with the forms – CYC casual staff would be handing out the forms. The QBP recommended that some evening journeys be surveyed. AB agreed to include. • The timing of the survey was discussed – it was suggested school holidays (late July – August 2011) should be avoided.
5.3 The QBP agreed the questionnaire and collection methods, CYC subject to receipt of any further comments from other operators (CYC stated they would request return of comments by 14 June 2011).
6.0 Smart Ticketing
6.1 Bus Operators’ progress/issues: • EYMS – Ticketing machines available - system to start in September 2011. • First - System to start in 2012. • Arriva – Start early 2012. • Concessionary bus information was stated as being required. • Use /compatibility of mobile telephones for this system.
7.0 Central area traffic management and enforcement issues
7.1 Abuse of bus lanes / congested parts of the City
7.1.1 This item had been discussed at the Performance Sub-Group in relation to problems experienced in Oxford, Leeds/Bradford and Reading.
7.1.2 It was proposed that a report be prepared in relation to this topic CYC/ TPU for example a) Moving Driver Offences – tracing offending drivers b) CCTV coverage / speed cameras c) restricted access in city centre. Potentially this would be undertaken by JDC building on the Dec 2010 background report prepared by JDC on reducing moving traffic offences.
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Item Action
7.1.3 To note: This item is being considered/discussed at the Performance Sub Group as a standing item.
8.0 Performance Group Update
8.1 An update was given on topics covered at the last meeting: • Traffic management issues including notification of Bus congestion on the network. This was currently being Operators/CYC discussed with CYC to identify a workable solution. • Cyclists’ conflict with buses. Bus/cycle accident prevention via posters/vinyls was being investigated. • Complaints with regard to the traffic lights at Queen Street and Hospital Fields Road were discussed – vehicles / buses appeared to be passing through red lights. This was stated to be a traffic lights phasing issue. Possible accidents should be taken into account. • Monks Cross – on going discussions with CYC were taking place regarding new developments and the implications for bus services. • Maintenance of infrastructure in City of York in particular the City Centre. State of repair – Rougier Street and surrounds was confirmed as being actioned. • Notification of roadworks :- The general process for notifications (in particular for emergency works at Bank Holidays and at weekends) was questioned. Bus operators requested that protocols be developed - the Performance Performance Sub Group were asked to examine this at their Sub-Group next meeting.
9.0 Development update
9.1 Derwenthorpe
9.1.1 Work in progress on this project was outlined via a diagrammatic Tabled – attach to map of the Joseph Rowntree project – indicating the four minutes? clusters of development.
9.1.2 It was confirmed it was a requirement of development that a bus service be provided and that bus operators had been consulted on this in 2007/8. Further, detailed consultation would be undertaken with the relevant operators over the next few months..
9.1.3 It was stated a bus spine within the project was to be established, with bus shelters and other related bus stop furniture e.g. kassel kerbs and tag points.
9.1.4 A developer contribution of £240k (£60k per year for four years) All to note would be available for funding of the bus service(s).
10.0 Any other business
10.1 Lack of publicity – Alterations to CYC subsidised bus
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Item Action
services – Easter Sunday 2011
10.1.1 It was noted that little advance publicity regarding the above had been made.
10.1.2 Apologies were offered by CYC and it was confirmed positive CYC/ TPU action would be taken in 2012 to ensure that the situation was not repeated.
10.2 New Timetable and bus services information
10.2.1 It was stated by DR that an email system was being established for bus operators to pass information to CYC for transmission to the YILN /YB & PSS. This information would then be disseminated to residents with concessionary passes.
Dates of future meetings:
Thursday 8 September 2011 All to note Monday 12 December 2011
GE U:\PERSONAL\TELEPHONE DIRECTORY\General\QBP\2011\QBP Minutes 9 June 2011 - draft.doc
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