Issue - meetings

Oral presentation by Cynan Jones, Consultant.

Resolved to accept the information received in the Llŷn Flexi Bus Evaluation report and the oral presentation by Cynan Jones, Consultant and Wil Parry, O Ddrws i Ddrws.

Cynan Jones (Consultant) and Wil Parry (O Ddrws i Ddrws) were welcomed to the meeting. The report from the O Ddrws i Ddrws officer was presented, noting that the objective of the Llŷn Fflecsi Bus was to offer a service that was more flexible for passengers who wished to use public transport in Llŷn.

He further explained that the Llŷn Fflecsi Bus project had been established during the Summer 2021, following an offer from Transport for Wales in April 2021 to run a Fflecsi Pilot in Llŷn. This was an on-demand, corner to corner bus service; the Pilot had proceeded as there were already existing schemes to make the Llŷn Coastal bus an on-demand service. This scheme would serve additional areas to those on the Llŷn Coastal Bus route. It was intended to create a service to supplement the public services, and encourage local residents and visitors to reduce their dependency on cars. The bus service could be booked over the phone or through the App.

It was reported that the Covid-19 situation had created uncertainty, especially during spring 2021 when planning ahead was difficult. It was acknowledged that things had gone wrong; there had been delays with the App and copyright issues about updating the leaflet from the designer. Apologies were expressed that neither the AONB nor Natural Resources Wales had been given due acknowledgement and publicity. The service would continue in 2022, and it was hoped that the situation would be more stable by then.

The Consultant guided the Joint Committee through his evaluation of the service, noting that the App had work exceptionally well, e.g. current information about the location of the bus was provided on time. The bus also reached the end of its route on time, sometimes early. It was noted that the Llyn Fflecsi bus service had scored 4.9 out of 5 on the App by service users, which was very positive. The Consultant added that he had received further statistics that day, and they would be added to the report.

During the discussion, members raised the following matters:-

-       A question was asked about the period over which the figure of 1590 requests were received.

-       Interest was expressed in comparing the number of passengers from the 2019 bus service with these numbers, if this was possible.

-       A question was asked about how much notice was required to book the bus. Concern was noted that we were leaving a stable and dependable service and moving to a service that might be less user-friendly.

-       A question was asked about how many tourists and how many local people used the service.

-       It was questioned whether the service truly reduced the carbon footprint.

-       Concern was expressed that this service would weaken the public bus service and a question was asked about what  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5