Issue - meetings

To update the Committee on upcoming work for members’ consideration.

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for the Environment, the Head of Environment and the Integrated Transport and Road Safety Manager. Attention was drawn briefly to the following principal points: 

It was explained that the public transport field was facing a challenging period following Covid-19.  It was noted that people had moved from using public transport during the period of the Pandemic and that the figures had not increased to the level seen before Covid-19. It was explained that a financial package had been provided by the Government in order to facilitate the costs of maintaining public transport during this period but that the emergency plan had terminated. It was noted that confirmation had been confirmed that the Government, through the Bus Transition Fund would provide financial support until April 2024.

It was reported that a change in technology meant that the Council was trying to use electric buses. It was noted that the first electric buses in Gwynedd would be charged in Porthmadog. It was explained that this was a big change for bus companies and that significant risks were associated with these changes.

It was recognised that personal cars were going to be mandatory in some rural areas although it was hoped that this reliance on personal cars would be reduced in the future. Despite this, it was reported that there was an increase of over 30% in the use of the SHERPA around Yr Wyddfa area over the past year.

It was reminded that a number of organisations were responsible for the public transport sector jointly with the Council namely, North Wales Transport Commission and the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations. During the discussion, the following matters were raised:

In response to an enquiry on the electric buses charging points in Porthmadog, the Head of Environment confirmed that it was hoped for the charging points to be installed by August, with the services available to the public by September depending on a tender. Despite this, it was noted that anti-social behaviour on buses after 6pm was a cause for concern for companies and discussions were held with the police to resolve the matter. It was explained that operators were still being convinced to continue with services but that it was a challenge due to the price of running services.

A member noted that he welcomed the collaboration with Transport for Wales noting the importance of local services connecting to the strategic services. They made reference to a service in their ward that did not travel via Dolan, although it was believed it should as the number of potential passengers would increase the number of service users.

In response to an enquiry on finance, the Head of Environment confirmed that the Council was fortunate to receive annual support from Transport for Wales. Despite this, it was emphasised that there was no other body that could help the Council fund these services if the support would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8