Decision details

To consider the report of the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability seeking approval to the local elements to the Council’s concessionary travel scheme 2013 and the reimbursement rate to bus operators that are proposed to apply from 1st April 2013.

(i)  To approve the scheme in Appendix 1 subject to the calculations in recommendation (ii) below; 

(ii)  To reimburse bus operators at 48p in the £ plus 6.9p marginal capacity operating cost per trip and 0.2p per journey administration fee, in accordance with the guidance given by the Department for Transport (DfT) using their reimbursement calculator;

(iii)  To withdraw the issue of local disabled persons bus pass;

(iv)  To retain the ticket types used in the calculation of the average fare to include day tickets, carnet (multi-trip), single and returns as per the guidance issued by the DfT;

(v)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability to enter into arrangements with some smaller operators to agree reimbursement at a fixed rate in accordance with the DfT guidance for 2013/14;

(vi)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment & Transport and Resources to do anything necessary to implement the Concessionary fares Scheme 2013 including but not limited to the service of statutory Notices (including Variation and Participation Notices) and participation in and determination of any appeal against the proposed Concessionary Fares Scheme or reimbursement arrangements for 2013/14

To enable the Council to comply with the statutory requirement to serve bus operators with a minimum 28 days notice of the Concessionary Fares Scheme for 2013-14.  This includes the local enhancements to the Scheme and the rates of reimbursement that will apply.  The changes to the local enhancements proposed are part of the Council’s need to provide a scheme within the budget available

The option of reducing the operating hours to the minimum permitted (0930 – 2300 Monday to Friday) together with the withdrawal of companion passes was considered but rejected, as it is unlikely to save much if any money.