2009 Summer Bus Services.

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A decision made (30/04/2009) regarding: 2009 Summer Bus Services.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2009-0041
Decision Summary Title :	2009 Summer Bus Services Confirmation		Date of Decision Summary:	29 April 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Director of Transport		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Confirmation of 2009 Summer Bus Services		Date of Written Report:	29 April 2009
Written Report Author:	Director of Transport		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Confirmation of 2009 Summer Bus Service
Decision(s): With reference to MD-TTS-2009-0026, the Minister approved the proposals for changes to the 2009 summer bus services as advertised but amended following comments received as follows (and shown in Appendix C to the accompanying report): maintain the Service 12A at 9.20am; and delete the new Route 23 at 9.00am
Reason(s) for Decision: The changes being proposed enhance the summer network, remove some routing and timing anomalies or duplications, plug some gaps in the schedule and are cost neutral. However, the proposal to withdraw the Route 12A at 9.20am received some criticism from regular users of the service so this has been maintained. This has meant that there are no resources available to operate the new Route 23 at 9.00am.
Resource Implications: The proposals are cost neutral.
Action required: Advise Connex of this decision. Write to those people who commented on the proposals advising of the Minister’s decision. Prepare a media release to notify the public of this decision.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

2009 Summer Bus Services.

TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES

CONFIRMATION OF 2009 SUMMER BUS SERVICES

Purpose of the Report

To seek the approval of the Minister to proposals for 2009 summer bus services following the receipt of comments on the proposals.

Background

On 17 March 2009, the Minister provisionally approved changes to the summer 2009 bus timetable and determined that public notice of his provisional decision should be given in accordance with Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935. Ministerial decision MD-T-2009-0026 details the proposals and the reasons for recommending the changes and a summary of them is attached at Appendix A for information.

The proposals were advertised in the Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post on 20 March 2009 with a deadline for comments to be received by 03 April 2009. In addition, all Constables were emailed the full details of the proposals and details were also sent to all Parish Halls.

Comments

Appendix B provides a summary of the responses received. Some of these sought an improvement of services in certain areas (for instance the Longueville area) but the main concern of the specific proposals put forward was the withdrawal of Route 12A at 9.20 am. As the Appendix shows, 5 out of the 12 comments received were on this issue and this included one from a politician representing the area concerned. Most were clearly from senior citizens who rely on the service for trips into town.

TTS has re-examined this suggestion in the light of comments made and considers it would be inappropriate at this stage to maintain this withdrawal but the department and Connex will examine the times and routings of the services in this area and consider whether any efficiencies can be made without reducing the level of service. In order to maintain this service, the new Route 23 leaving Liberation Station at 9 am will not now operate as this was utilising the resources freed up by cancelling the Route 12A.

There was also a comment thanking TTS for the additional Route 15 morning commuter service and the proposal of an ‘express’ service along Victoria Avenue appears to be supported.

Recommendation

With reference to MD-TTS-2009-0026, the Minister is recommended to approve the proposals for changes to the 2009 summer bus services as advertised but amended following comments received as follows (and shown in Appendix C to the accompanying report):

maintain the Service 12A at 9.20am; and
delete the new Route 23 at 9.00am

Reasons for Recommendations

The changes being proposed enhance the summer network, remove some routing and timing anomalies or duplications, plug some gaps in the schedule and are cost neutral. However, the proposal to withdraw the Route 12A at 9.20am received some criticism from regular users of the service so this has been maintained. This has meant that there are no resources available to operate the new Route 23 at 9.00am.

Actions Required

Advise Connex of this decision.
Write to those people who commented on the proposals advising of the Minister’s decision.
Prepare a media release to notify the public of this decision.

Resource Implications

The proposals are cost neutral.

Written by:	Director of Transport

Approved by:	Acting Chief Officer

Attachments:

Appendix A – Original Proposed Changes to the 2009 Summer Bus Services
Appendix B – Summary of responses received
Appendix C – Final Proposed Changes to the 2009 Summer Bus Services