Agenda item
Cabinet Member:
Councillor Gareth Griffith
To consider the report of the Head of Environment
Minutes:
The Head of Environment Department presented a
progress report on the work of reviewing the public transport provision in
Gwynedd along with the next steps the Department would be implementing. It was
noted that the review gave the Council the opportunity to trial alternative
ways of addressing transport needs. It was reiterated that the existing network
had not been developed for decades and there was no evidence that the service
had been comprehensively reviewed during this time. It was noted that Transport
for Wales would assist in delivering the provision with the vision that Traws
Cymru would provide the main transport corridor, with a dependence on local
services providing the connections.
It was highlighted that time and effort would be invested to gather
information in order to ensure that decisions were based on need and
prioritised based on their social value. Information was gathered via a
questionnaire and 2021 responses were received. It was reported that the
initial work to analyse the responses had been completed and would form the foundation
for the next steps
- review the suitability of the existing
transport network
- ensure that the service meets the need in the
most cost effective way
- prioritise the journeys/routes based on their
social value (work commissioned by Bangor University)
In response to an observation by Councillor Gruffydd Williams that the
Dwyfor Councillor, in response to a previous review, had requested that the
service be protected from cuts and that people be supported to live in the
countryside, the Head of Environment Department stated that there was no
intention to cut the public transport budget. He reiterated that despite the
challenges to maintain the service, the main aim was to meet the need in the
most cost effective way.
During the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted by
individual Members:
·
The
strategic review and vision for improving use in the hope that the public
transport service would be improved was welcomed.
·
The information
gathering systems had been appropriate and that the response to the
questionnaires had been encouraging - need to build on this and analyse the
data to meet the need
·
The
consideration to use fewer large buses was welcomed - this was a constructive
step forward
·
Need to
ensure that the dial a service arrangements were flexible; that there were
solutions to every situation. Suggestion to trial the arrangements to ensure
success
·
Need to
explain and discuss any changes that were being considered with residents in
their communities - suggestion to share the information in the local papers
·
Effective
marketing arrangements needed
·
Need to
collaborate and support local services, e.g. O Ddrws i Ddrws. Was it possible
to use a concessionary travel card on local services?
·
Need to
consider the carbon footprint - encourage people to use buses
·
Need to
ensure that priority was given to the journey not the vehicle/resource
·
If using
smaller vehicles, the impact on large bus companies would have to be considered
·
Need to
ensure concessionary travel card holders got all the support they needed to
renew their cards by 1/1/2020
In response to an observation about the impact on bus companies, it was
highlighted that the large buses would be the mainstay of the service with
smaller vehicles feeding into that service.
In response to a comment about renewing concessionary travel cards, it
was highlighted that the Department was making every effort to support
Transport for Wales in administrating the work of card renewal. It was
reiterated that the service's officers were holding meetings across the county,
were responding to telephone enquiries, and were offering advice and guidance
on how to renew a card on paper or on-line. It was noted that the new
concessionary card was safer and prevented fraud.
RESOLVED:
- To accept the report and congratulate the Department on the consultation
work carried out to gather residents' opinions
- Recommend that the service consider the long term impact of cutting
services in rural areas
- Recommend
that the service ensure flexibility in its new arrangements e.g. ensure that
the 'Dial on Demand' service is flexible and that the vehicles are adequately
sized to address the need
- Recommend that the service consider
collaborating with local companies / other services
- Recommend the need to market the new service effectively
- Recommend that the environmental impact be considered as part of the review
Supporting documents:
- Public Transport Report, item 5. PDF 76 KB
- APPENDIX 1 Report Public Transport, item 5. PDF 91 KB
- Appendix 2, item 5. PDF 51 KB
- APPENDIX 3 Questionnaire, item 5. PDF 97 KB