Decision details

(i)  To agree to reimburse bus operators in line with the Department for Transport Concessionary Fares Guidance and the methodology as detailed in appendix 1. This will use the Reimbursement Calculator published by the Department for Transport to determine the reimbursement rate for each operator.

(ii)  To agree the local enhancements above the statutory minimum, which is to allow concessionary travel from 0900 rather than 0930 and between 2300 and 0030 for Southampton residents.

To enable the Council to comply with the statutory requirement to serve bus operators with the minimum 28 days’ notice of the local enhancements and the reimbursement rate that the Council will use.

The Council could withdraw the local enhancements that are offered to City residents but this is likely to achieve little saving as most passengers would just travel 30 minutes later in the morning once free travel is allowed.