Minutes:
S Edwards delivered a presentation to update the Board on patronage trends across the region and update on the work being undertaken to support people back to the public transport network.
In summary, the following key points were noted:-
· Nationally, passenger journeys had been in steady decline, particularly in metropolitan areas.
· The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in a significant reduction in passenger numbers.
· Following the easing of Government restrictions bus and Supertram passenger numbers in South Yorkshire were slowing beginning to recover. These were currently around 75% pre-COVID levels.
· There was a common trend across the four districts in relation to bus patronage with concessionary travellers and child travellers being the highest.
· England National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) users had also followed a similar pattern across all four districts.
· There was a gap in the leisure travel market across all four districts.
· There were currently concerns around fare payer travellers, with significant variation across the four districts. Barnsley and Doncaster had seen very similar patterns over the entire COVID period and had seen the highest, consistent level of fare payer passenger numbers.
· In comparison, Sheffield had seen the lowest number of fare payer passengers. This was due to the different economies across the region and many office workers now working from home.
· There was now a challenge to get fare payer passengers back onto the transport network.
In relation to the operating environment, the Board was informed that bus services had only been able to operate through the pandemic as a result of Government support.
Whilst First and Stagecoach had positively engaged on the development of the BSIP, operational delivery remained challenging, which was driven by a number of factors, which included:
· Reduced medium-term demand for services and uncertainty over future government support;
· Pressure to reduce services levels to a sustainable level;
· Operating costs and pressure on fares;
· Short-term issues with driver retention and recruitment;
· Potential consolidation in the market; and
· Potential for industrial action.
To support operators, a programme of planned promotional activity had been developed to encourage travellers to use bus and tram services. This included:
· A COVID- Recovery marketing campaign
· ZOOM beyond 18-21 Travel Pass
· ZOOM Under 16 and 16-18 Travel Passes
· Summer Discount Scheme, which had been very popular and over subscribed
· Christmas Bus Campaign
· Wider policy development
The Board requested that a copy of the presentation by circulated to Members. ACTION: S Edwards
In response to a question from Councillor Johnson, S Edwards confirmed that the Bus Recovery Grant would terminate on 31 March 2022. Government had stated that there would be no further funding for light rail. It was expected that there would be some revenue support for bus services, however it was yet to be confirmed. There was a risk that there could be a shortfall in funding for 2022/23.
Councillor Johnson asked if bus driver shortages were anticipated to be a long term issue. In addition, he queried if funding could be provided to help operators run driver training courses.
S Edwards said that it was currently an area of challenge for the operators. Due to driver shortages there had been a number of short notice service cancellations being made. To address this, a number of short-term timetables would be introduced at the end of October. He agreed to have a discussion with the operators around the support which could be provided to them to try and help mitigate the current challenges.
P Kennan said that he would undertake a task to develop some key messages to businesses around using the bus instead of the car.
S Edwards said that he produced a weekly report setting the current scene and main issues. He agreed to include Board Members on the circulation list. ACTION: S Edwards
The Chair thanked S Edwards for his presentation.