TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER COMMITTEE REPORT FOR RESOLUTION Sub Committee: Bus Networks and TfGM Services Date: 21 March 2014 Subject: Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network Report of: Head of Bus PURPOSE OF REPORT 1. To inform Members of the changes that have taken place to the bus network since the last TfGMC Bus Network and TfGM Services Sub- Committee meeting, in addition to report on consequential action taken or proposed by Transport for Greater Manchester. 2. To seek guidance from Members on proposed Transport for Greater Manchester action. RECOMMENDATIONS Members are asked to:- (i) note and comment as appropriate on the changes to the commercial network and the proposals not to replace the de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex A; (ii) note and comment as appropriate on the proposed actions in respect of the de-registered commercial services set out in Annex B; and (iii) note and comment as appropriate on the proposed changes to existing general subsidised services set out in Annex C. BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Previous reports to this Sub-Committee. CONTACT OFFICERS James Lewis 0161 244 1287 [email protected] Howard Hartley 0161 244 1660 [email protected] Steve Wurr 0161 244 1653 [email protected] TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus 1 12/03/2014 18:51 Network v1.0 1. Introduction and Background 1.1 At its annual meeting on 15 June, the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee agreed that the Bus Networks and TfGM Services Sub- Committee was to consider all matters relating to the operation and service performance of the bus network in Greater Manchester, including commercially registered and subsidised services; bus stations and bus stops; passenger information services; contract monitoring; vehicle standards; and passenger safety for the subsidised bus network. Acting under delegated authority, the Sub-Committee is tasked to review closely and approve all proposed changes to the subsidised bus network and ensure that the cost of the subsidised general services is kept within the appropriate budget or any cash limits. 2. Subsidised Services Budget 2.1 In 2014/15, and provisionally again in 2015/16, there will be a reduction of 3% in the Levy available to fund TfGM’s operating costs which equates to approximately £6 million. The level of savings requires a reduction in the supported bus services budget of £7.1 million over the next 2 years. In 2014/15, this will be achieved by: removing subsidy from all Night Bus services; rationalisation of existing services whilst maintaining key links on the network; engaging with operators with objective of them taking on “marginal commercial” services; and Continuing to redesign and restructure grouped services to ensure that maximum value is obtained from subsidy. 2.2 In general, withdrawals, reductions or amendments to services are currently only planned at date of next renewal of the contract concerned and proposed changes will be reported to this Sub-Committee. 2.3 Alongside the review of general services, a piece of work has commenced to review school services. 2.4 A more detailed description of the methodology and process and proposed reductions is provided in a separate report to this Sub- Committee. TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 2 12/03/2014 18:51 3. Changes to Commercial Services (Annex A) 3.1 Annex A to this report lists changes to commercial services which, in the view of Transport for Greater Manchester, are not sufficiently significant to require the provision of subsidised replacements. Brief details of the implications of the changes are provided. 4. Changes to Commercial Services (Annex B) 4.1 Annex B to this report lists changes to commercial services and provides brief details of the implications of these changes, which officers believe are of sufficient importance to require action by Transport for Greater Manchester. Details of the proposed actions are also provided. 5. Changes to General Subsidised Services (Annex C) 5.1 Annex C to this report lists, by service number, proposals for changes to general subsidised services on which the views of Members are requested. Information is also given about the reasons for proposing these changes. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 Annex A, presents no financial implications. 6.2 Annex B, financial implications will be reported in part B of the Agenda. 6.3 Annex C, financial implications will be reported in Part B of the Agenda. 7. Recommendations 7.1 A full set of recommendations appears at the front of this report. Howard Hartley Head of Bus TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 3 12/03/2014 18:51 SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE COMMERCIAL NETWORK ANNEX A The Committee is requested to note or agree the following changes to the commercial network and the proposals not to replace de-registered commercial services: Dist Service No. and Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer Route From recommendations SD 10 Arriva North Service 10 is operated 10/03/14 No TfGM action at this stage MR Brookhouse – West commercially on a daily Eccles – basis by Arriva North Pendleton - West. Manchester The changes being made will result in the service being retimed and an increase frequency on Saturdays. There are also implications for a journey currently supported financially by TfGM as detailed in Annex C. TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 1 12/03/2014 18:51 Dist Service No. and Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer Route From recommendations MR 12 First Service 12 runs hourly 27/04/14 No TfGM action at this stage SD Leigh – Walkden - Manchester daily daytime with daily Manchester evening journeys WN operated with support from TfGM. Monday to Friday journeys from Leigh at 0625 and 0725 will be curtailed and retimed to commence from Lumber Lane at 0710 and 0802. Between Leigh and Walkden, these journeys will be replaced by new journeys on service 39 operating between Walkden and Manchester (see separate report) TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 2 12/03/2014 18:51 Dist Service No. and Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer Route From recommendations BN 36/37 First Services 36 (via Little 27/04/14 No TfGM action at this stage MR Bolton - Manchester Hulton) and 37 (via Manchester Farnworth) operate at SD high frequencies on Monday to Saturday daytime with half hourly frequencies in the evenings and on Sundays. The Sunday daytime frequency of both services is being increased to every 20 minutes. Some Monday to Friday peak service 36 journeys are being replaced by service 39 (see separate report) TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 3 12/03/2014 18:51 Dist Service No. and Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer Route From recommendations MR 39 First Currently, service 39 27/04/14 No TfGM action at this stage SD Leigh – Manchester provides Friday and Manchester Saturday night journeys WN between Manchester and Leigh which are supported by TfGM. New Monday to Friday peak period journeys are being introduced replacing certain journeys on services 12 and 36. The route will be as per service 12 between Leigh and Walkden, then as service 36 between Walkden and Manchester. Journeys will depart from Leigh at 0625, 0640 and 0655. The changes are being introduced to provide a more direct service to Manchester for passengers currently boarding between Leigh and Walkden. TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 4 12/03/2014 18:51 Dist Service No. and Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer Route From recommendations MR 42 First Service 42 is amongst the 27/04/14 No TfGM action at this stage Manchester services taken over by First East Didsbury – Manchester with the Manchester City acquisition of Finglands. Centre – Cheetham Currently the service Hill – North operates every 20 minutes Manchester General on Monday to Saturday Hospital daytime between East Didsbury and Manchester City Centre. The Monday to Saturday daytime service is being increased to a 10 minute frequency with the Monday to Saturday evening service and Sunday service running every 30 minutes. The service is being extended beyond Manchester City Centre to North Manchester General Hospital via Cheetham Hill. Supplementary journeys are also to be provided between East Didsbury and Manchester and a new night service will be introduced up to 0330 on Monday to Saturday nights. TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 5 12/03/2014 18:51 Dist Service No. and Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer Route From recommendations BN 68 First Service 68 is operated 27/04/14 No alternative TfGM supported evening journeys SD Bolton – Little Manchester half hourly on Monday services on Walkden to be re-routed to follow the Hulton – Walkden Saturday daytime and Road daytime commercial route TD hourly on Sunday – Monton – Eccles (see separate report in Annex C). – Trafford Centre daytimes with hourly daily evening journeys supported by TfGM. Following a recent consultation undertaken by First Manchester, all commercial journeys will be rerouted via Lumber Lane, Greenleach Lane and Worsley Road to serve Roe Green. This will leave a section of Walkden Road, between Lumber Lane and Worsley Brow unserved with residents having to walk a maximum of 600m to bus stops which would continue to be served. TfGMC BNTS 20140321 Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network v1.0 6 12/03/2014 18:51 Dist Service No. Operator Proposed Change Effective Alternative Services Comments/TfGM officer and Route From recommendations BN 300 South Service 300 provides hourly 13/04/14 No TfGM action at this stage TD The Trafford Lancs.