Services Overview and
Scrutiny Committee
Bus and Community Transport
Strategy
Roger Williams
Head of Transport Operations
Transport and Environment
Introduction
• What have we done to date
• What we current do
• Who does it
• What users want
• How do we deliver
• When by
What we have done to date
• An Executive Review of Passenger Transport Sept 2007
• A zero based review of Bus services -Sept 2008
• A review of Community Transport - Sept 2008
• Area reviews covering Eastbourne, Lewes and
Wealden - March 2009
• Developing a Bus and Community Transport
Strategies - Ongoing
What we current do
Bus Services
• 75% of bus mileage in East Sussex is
provided commercially by bus operators
• 75% of bus mileage outside Eastbourne
and Hastings is ESCC supported services
• ESCC spends £3.63million on supported
bus services
• Operating costs of bus services rising
above inflation
Who does it
Community Transport
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Provided by social enterprises
Generally operated by cars or minibuses
Staffed by a mix of volunteer and paid staff
Often restricted to registered users
Types of scheme:
– Voluntary car schemes
– Dial-a-ride
– Community bus services
Who does it
Community Transport
• Over 40 community transport schemes in
East Sussex
• Around 10 schemes operate as ESCC
local transport contracts
• Most operate without ESCC funding
• Transport Act 2008 allows drivers to be
paid and use of larger vehicles
What Users want
• Seamless service
– So I can get to my destination and back again
(via as many places as I like)
• Clear information
– And accurate, and be kept updated if it
changes
• Choice
– Cost, Time, Comfort, Accessibility
• Simple point of contact
– Preferably local
What Users want
A service that is
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Safe
Reliable
Useful
Usable
Available
Accessible
Affordable
and Friendly
How do we deliver
Benefits of the Strategies
A far more efficient, effective and desirable
public transport service
• Efficient:
– More people in fewer vehicles
• Effective:
– Locally co-ordinated
• Desirable:
– More Choice, More Control
How do we deliver
ESCC Policies
Pride of Place
• improving travel choices and access to services
LTP2
• improve sustainable transport choices, public
transport facilities, information and personal
security of users
Accessibility Strategy
• access to employment, education, healthcare
and healthy affordable food, particularly from
rural areas
How do we deliver
The Community Hub
network crosses
artificial administrative
boundaries.
Community
Community
Network
Community
Community
Network
Community
Community
Network
How do we deliver
Transport Toolkit
Health
Toolkit
Leisure
Toolkit
Social
Toolkit
How do we deliver
• Enhanced definition of Community Transport
(CT+)
• Design Flexibly-Routed, Demand Responsive,
scheduled bus services
• Co-ordinated Delivery via Community Hubs
• Support from District, Town and Parish Councils
• Marketing Campaign
How do we deliver
• Continued engagement of
communities and partners
• Identification and model for
Community Transport Pilots
• Implement Pilots and evaluate
Down Your Way
• Rural access bid from DfT
• Recently refocused to ensure greater
access
• Will enable greater information (CT
directory)
• Working closely with existing CT operators
• Funding to enhance CT provision through
pilots
Community Transport Pilots
• Funding available from DfT & ESCC
• Pilots to gain greater access to services
for more people
• Identification of pilots through two broad
approaches
– Accessibility Mapping, participatory research
– Bid process with CT operators and
communities determining need.
– Process commencing in June 2009
Community Transport Must
• Supply flexible solutions
• Determine sustainable demand
• Ensure sufficient capacity between
different solutions
• Solutions are sustainable with long
term futures
Timetable
Jan to Mar
Initial preparation of Strategies
30 April
Draft Strategy documents
June to
August
Consultation including development
of pilot projects
September
Final Draft Strategy documents
October
Adoption by Council