Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Bus and Community Transport Strategy

Roger Williams

Head of Transport Operations

Transport and Environment

Introduction

• What have we done to date

• What we current do

• Who does it

• What users want

• How do we deliver

• When by

What we have done to date

• An Executive Review of Passenger Transport -Sept 2007

• A zero based review of Bus services -Sept 2008• A review of Community Transport - Sept 2008• Area reviews covering Eastbourne, Lewes and

Wealden - March 2009• Developing a Bus and Community Transport

Strategies - Ongoing

What we current do Bus Services• 75% of bus mileage in East Sussex is

provided commercially by bus operators

• 75% of bus mileage outside Eastbourne and Hastings is ESCC supported services

• ESCC spends £3.63million on supported bus services

• Operating costs of bus services rising above inflation

Who does it Community Transport

• Provided by social enterprises

• Generally operated by cars or minibuses

• Staffed by a mix of volunteer and paid staff

• Often restricted to registered users

• Types of scheme:– Voluntary car schemes – Dial-a-ride– Community bus services

Who does itCommunity Transport• Over 40 community transport schemes in

East Sussex

• Around 10 schemes operate as ESCC local transport contracts

• Most operate without ESCC funding

• Transport Act 2008 allows drivers to be paid and use of larger vehicles

What Users want

• Seamless service– So I can get to my destination and back again

(via as many places as I like)

• Clear information– And accurate, and be kept updated if it changes

• Choice– Cost, Time, Comfort, Accessibility

• Simple point of contact– Preferably local

What Users want A service that is

• Safe• Reliable• Useful• Usable• Available• Accessible• Affordable• and Friendly

How do we deliver Benefits of the Strategies A far more efficient, effective and desirable

public transport service

• Efficient:– More people in fewer vehicles

• Effective:– Locally co-ordinated

• Desirable:– More Choice, More Control

How do we deliver ESCC PoliciesPride of Place • improving travel choices and access to services

LTP2 • improve sustainable transport choices, public

transport facilities, information and personal security of users

Accessibility Strategy • access to employment, education, healthcare

and healthy affordable food, particularly from rural areas

Community

How do we deliver

Community Network

CommunityCommunity

Network

CommunityCommunity

Network

The Community Hub network crosses artificial administrative boundaries.

Flexibly Routed Registered Bus Service

Voluntary Car Scheme

Shared Taxi

Scheduled Bus

Service

Scheduled Train

Service

Lift Share

Community Bus

Transport Toolkit

Leisure Toolkit

SocialToolkit

Health Toolkit

How do we deliver

How do we deliver

• Enhanced definition of Community Transport (CT+)

• Design Flexibly-Routed, Demand Responsive, scheduled bus services

• Co-ordinated Delivery via Community Hubs

• Support from District, Town and Parish Councils • Marketing Campaign

How do we deliver

• Continued engagement of communities and partners

• Identification and model for Community Transport Pilots

• Implement Pilots and evaluate

Down Your Way

• Rural access bid from DfT

• Recently refocused to ensure greater access

• Will enable greater information (CT directory)

• Working closely with existing CT operators

• Funding to enhance CT provision through pilots

Community Transport Pilots

• Funding available from DfT & ESCC• Pilots to gain greater access to services

for more people• Identification of pilots through two broad

approaches– Accessibility Mapping, participatory research– Bid process with CT operators and

communities determining need.– Process commencing in June 2009

Community Transport Must

• Supply flexible solutions

• Determine sustainable demand

• Ensure sufficient capacity between different solutions

• Solutions are sustainable with long term futures

Timetable

Jan to Mar Initial preparation of Strategies

30 April Draft Strategy documents

June to August

Consultation including development of pilot projects

September Final Draft Strategy documents

October Adoption by Council