Agenda item

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 would happen to the core service if fewer people used it, and grants such the one for this enterprise ran out.

-       It was suggested that other groups should be targeted in addition to walkers, and to consider providing a similar evening service.

In response, the following was noted:

-       1590 requests had been received between 19 July 2021 and 1 November 2021, and of these, 1469 trips were completed.

-       Although it was difficult to compare the project as it was a different service to the normal service, i.e. carried fewer passengers, and due to the Covid-19 period. 

-       The bus could be booked in a matter of hours but generally, the average booking time on the App was two days in advance. It was noted that a one-way journey cost £3, and it was added that this price was far cheaper than the price of a taxi.

-       There should be a way of measuring how many tourists and how many local people used the service. The observation was appreciated, and it was suggested the reason for the journey could be asked, thereby providing more information about who was using the service.

-       Evidence from other places supported the notion that this service would reduce the carbon footprint. It was added that O Ddrws i Ddrws would have an electric minibus next year that would substantially reduce the carbon footprint.

-       In response to concerns regarding the public bus service, it was explained that the purpose of the project was to see whether there was a different way to provide the core service. It was acknowledged that more work was needed to look at integration rather than duplication.  It was added that the public bus service as it stood was ineffective and it was proposed that the service needed to be more flexible.  The O Ddrws i Ddrws Officer would be very pleased to see one of the public bus service operators running this service as it was so convenient and flexible, and reduced the mileage made by empty buses that made it more cost effective.

-       It was explained that Transport for Wales and Gwynedd Council were currently undertaking a review of Gwynedd's public transport networks.

DECISION

It was decided to accept the information contained in the report to Evaluate the Llŷn Fflecsi Bus and the verbal report by Cynan Jones (Consultant) and Wil Parry (O Ddrws i Ddrws).