Decision details

(i)  To agree to reimburse bus operators in line with the Department for Transport Concessionary Fares Guidance and the calculation 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 to continue 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.

(iii)  To authorise the Head of Green City and Infrastructure to do anything necessary to give effect to and implement the Scheme for 2022/23 (including but not limited to service of notice on operators as required by legislation).

1.  To enable the Council to comply with the statutory requirement to approve and publish the Concessionary Fare Scheme details including the local enhancements and the reimbursement rate that the Council will use.

2.  The Concessionary Fare Scheme for 2022/23 needs to be approved prior to  the commencement of the Scheme on 1st April 2022.

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

No