Restored routes and new bus operators are just two of
the changes people in the district should see following North
Somerset Council's annual bus service review.
The council has traditionally subsidised a number of bus
services throughout the district which are not viable on a purely
commercial basis. These are funded directly by the council together
with the rural bus subsidy grant, or through section 106 agreements
with developers. For 2010-11 the available budget is expected to be
almost £900,000, including £100,000 to cover inflation and
additional investment costs.
Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, deputy leader of North Somerset Council and
executive member for transport, said that throughout 2009 there
were significant changes to bus services in the area due to the
recession, which led to a drop in passenger numbers and the loss of
one bus operator.
"Although at the time our officers worked quickly and
effectively to replace many of these routes on emergency contract
arrangements pending the annual tendering process a number of
commercial bus services had to be withdrawn in rural areas and also
in Weston-super-Mare due to the high quotes received for
temporary replacements. This led to concerns that we would be
unable to maintain these services when the annual tendering process
was completed.
"This process, which was launched before Christmas, involved
advertising locally, in national trade papers and in the EU
Journal. As a result eight bus operators expressed an interest and
submitted prices to operate the specified services. Although this
is down from the number received last year, competition to run
services on individual routes has helped to keep overall prices
down; for a number of routes we received more than five bids from
operators to provide a particular service. In addition we have been
able to agree longer term contracts, in some instances up to seven
years, which I hope will give longer term stability."
Cllr Ap Rees added that this year’s annual review has been
thorough and ethical and included comments and suggestions received
from the public and an investigation into various options and their
cost.
"Unfortunately we shall not be able to meet everyone's
preference but the outcome should result in an improved
public transport situation for most residents, in particular
in Weston-super-Mare where the Number 85 service between St
Georges to Weston-super-Mare will be restored. This is good news
for residents on that route, including those in Preanes Green and
Corondale Road who saw that service end when ACL Travel collapsed
last year. Now they will once again have an hourly service from 4th
April."
Other local routes in Weston under threat that have also been
saved include Bleadon Village to Worlebury and Hutton Village to
South Road in Weston via Bleadon Hill and Broadoak School, where
school admissions funding has benefited the available budget.
Outside Weston, which was hardest hit in the service reductions
last year, the 121 rural service via Locking, Banwell, Winscombe,
Sandford, Churchill, Wrington, Bristol Airport, Winford to Bristol
has been retained for the next five years. The council is also
planning to investigate a community feeder service to connect with
this route from other outlying villages in the future to make the
service more commercially viable.
The 692 service between Nailsea and Portishead is to be revised
to serve the new Harbourside development in Portishead; also the
660 sevice will serve the new health centre in Portishead. These
changes follow public requests.
As well as local companies two firms new to North Somerset are
set to win contracts as a result of the new tenders. Wessex
Connect and Webber Bus both provide bus services in neighbouring
local authority areas and are looking to expand their businesses. t
is anticipated that better quality vehicles, including more
low floor buses, will be provided on a number of key routes, while
the longer-term contracts should stabilise prices and encourage the
operators to promote and invest in the services to increase
usage.
Cllr Ap Rees commented: "I'm especially pleased that we are able
to award contracts to new operators. Competition is good for
business and helps to provide best value for money for council tax
payers. However all this good news comes with a health warning
......those people who signed petitions and called us asking for
services to be kept going now need to use them on a regular basis.
If passenger numbers fall then they will once again be at
risk."
