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Connex – 2007 Summer Leisure Bus Service and Bus Fare Revisions.

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

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  • demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision

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The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made (16/02/2007) regarding: Connex – 2007 Summer Leisure Bus Service and Bus Fare Revisions.

Subject:

Connex – 2007 Summer Leisure Bus Service and Bus Fare Revisions

Decision Reference:

MD-T-2007-0018

Exempt clause(s):

 

Type of Report:

(oral or written)

Written

Person Giving Report (if oral):

 

Telephone or

e-mail Meeting?

 

Report

File ref:

I:Minister:2007:Ministerial Decisions:MD 00 2007 Summer Leisure Service

Written report – Title

2007 Summer Leisure Bus Service and Bus Fare Revisions

Written report – Author

(name and job title)

Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport

Decision(s): The Minister:

  1. agreed the following criteria for the summer leisure service:

· The service, to be called Island Explorer, will commence on 6th April and finish on 3rd November and routes will be colour branded (Red, Blue, Green & Yellow).

· The Service will be integrated with the normal scheduled services in respect of fares, passes and the requirement to stop on request at any bus stop to load and/or disembark passengers.

  1. agreed the following restructured fares and passes for the whole network with effect from 6th April 2007:

· Reduce the current four fare stages to two with fares of £1 & £1.50.

· 1, 3 and 5 day passes will be available at £6, £15 and £22 respectively. In addition, a weekend pass will be offered at £10 and group passes (for a maximum group of 2 adults and 3 children) will be available at £14, £36, £54 and £24 for 1, 3, 5 day and weekend passes.

  1. is minded to agree the following, subject to receiving submissions from members of the public as required by Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935:

· The Service 8B will be cancelled for the summer schedules.

· The ‘K’ Services will not be run in the autumn 2007.

Reason(s) for decision:

  1. To offer the public, both residents and visitors, a fully integrated network seven days a week linking main Island attractions from Easter through to the end of the autumn half term break.
  2. To simplify the current fare structure and offer competitive rates for day passes as well as a weekend and group pass.

Action required:

  Advise Connex of this decision.

  Prepare a joint media release with Connex to advertise the services.

  Arrange an advertisement in the JEP to advise about the services being stopped and allow public submissions.

  TTS and Connex to agree appropriate fare stages for the restructured fares.

Signature:

(Minister/ Assistant Minister)

Date of Decision:

16 February 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Hide report
Connex – 2007 Summer Leisure Bus Service and Bus Fare Revisions.

TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES

2007 SUMMER LEISURE BUS SERVICE AND BUS FARE REVISIONS

Purpose of the Report

To seek the Minister’s approval to the proposed 2007 summer leisure network as put forward by Connex and to a simplification of the current fare structure.

Background

Connex were awarded the contract to operate the summer leisure service following a competitive tendering process in October 2006. On 19th January 2007, Connex presented their proposals for running the network and discussions took place concerning the overall fare structure and the price of day passes.

Discussion

  1. Connex put forward a network based on the easylink service run in 2006 but with additional stops at Catherine Best, La Mare Vineyards and Sunset Nurseries and also to be run 7 days a week including Saturdays. The main criteria of the service can be summarised as follows:

· The new service will commence on the 6th April, in accordance with the tender.

· The service will be branded as Island Explorer.

· The four routes will be colour branded – Red, Blue, Green & Yellow.

· The draft timetables as submitted by Connex were accepted.

· Following in depth discussions as to whether the ‘K’ services would duplicate some of the leisure service, it was agreed to continue to run them during the spring 2007 and assess the impact for future years. However, it was agreed that they would not be run in the autumn 2007.

· The Island Explorer Service will run to 3rd November 2007 to cover the autumn half term break.

  1. The Service will be fully integrated with the normal scheduled services in respect of fares, passes and the requirement to stop on request at any bus stop to load and/or disembark passengers.
  1. The current number of network fare stages (4) will be reduced to two stages with fares of £1 & £1.50 and applied to the whole network. The split between the two stages will be agreed in further discussion between Connex and TTS officers. Both TTS and Connex had estimated the financial effect of this restructuring as a small increase in revenue (approx £20,000 a year).
  1. 1, 3 and 5 day passes will be available at £6, £15 and £22 respectively. In addition, a weekend pass will be offered at £10 and group passes (for a maximum group of 2 adults and 3 children) will be available at £14, £36, £54 and £24 for 1, 3, 5 day and weekend passes. These pass rates are similar to those offered by Connex in 2006 but below the easylink prices. Although it is recognised that a commission of probably 10% will be offered to agents willing to sell the passes (eg hotels) which will translate into reduced revenue on last year’s demand, it is predicted that the improved product on offer (a larger, integrated network covering the whole Island) will increase demand in 2007 and cover the lost revenue. A financial impact assessment of different prices is attached at Appendix A which remains confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information.
  1. The scheduled service Route 8B, which covers The Living Legend, Jersey Zoo, Gorey Pier and Jersey Potteries, will not be run for the Summer schedules as the Island Explorer adequately covers this route.

Comments

  1. It is acknowledged that a fully integrated network will offer an enhanced product to both residents and visitors alike and it is hoped this will increase demand on all services over the summer period.
  2. Connex will ensure the drivers used on the leisure service are aware of the various attractions and able to give advice and information to passengers.
  3. The simplification of the overall price structure will be attractive to the customer as it is easier to understand. Although those currently paying 90p and £1.40 will be paying 10p more, those currently paying £1.10 and £1.60 will actually be paying 10p less. Prices have not risen since 2004 and it is felt this simplification of fares will be both acceptable and welcomed by the travelling public.
  4. It is acknowledged that the pass prices have been pitched below those of Easylink and, if demand is similar to 2006, this would equate to a small loss of revenue (£34,000). However, the anticipation is that demand will be greater given the enhanced network which will translate into increased number of passes sold. Furthermore, both group and weekend passes will be on offer to widen the choice for customers.
  5. The leisure service is more comprehensive than that offered by Easylink in 2006 - three additional destinations, pick up/put down at any scheduled stop and a full Saturday service.
  6. The proposed network and prices have been discussed with Tourism officers who were supportive of the principles. A meeting with the Jersey Hospitality Association had now been set up to advise them of the detailed proposals.
  7. As the leisure service was tendered under Article 19(2) of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935, Article 24 of that same Law concerning notice and consultation with the public over any changes etc does not apply. Furthermore, the restructuring of the fares is also within the remit of the Minister. However, the cancellation of scheduled Route 8b, as a consequence of the introduction of the integrated leisure service, is covered by Article 24 as it is a decision of the Minister to ‘revoke an omnibus licence’. Furthermore, the decision not to run the K services in the autumn will also require public notice and consultation. For this reason, the changes will need to be advertised in the JEP and representations or submissions allowed prior to the Minister making his final decision.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended:

  1. to agree the following criteria for the summer leisure service:

· The service, to be called Island Explorer, to commence on 6th April and finish on 3rd November 2007.

· Routes will be colour branded – Red, Blue, Green & Yellow.

· The Service will be integrated with the normal scheduled services in respect of fares, passes and the requirement to stop on request at any bus stop to load and/or disembark passengers.

  1. to agree the following restructured fares and passes for the whole network with effect from 6th April 2007:

· reduce the current four fare stages to two with fares of £1 & £1.50, the split between the two stages to be agreed in further discussion between Connex and TTS officers.

· 1, 3 and 5 day passes will be available at £6, £15 and £22 respectively. In addition, a weekend pass will be offered at £10 and group passes (for a maximum group of 2 adults and 3 children) will be available at £14, £36, £54 and £24 for 1, 3, 5 day and weekend passes.

  1. to be minded to agree the following, subject to receiving submissions from members of the public as required by Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935:

· The Service 8B will be cancelled for the Summer schedules.

· The ‘K’ Services will not be run in the autumn 2007.

Reasons for Recommendation

  1. To offer the public, both residents and visitors, a fully integrated network seven days a week linking main Island attractions from Easter through to the end of the autumn half term break.
  2. To simplify the current fare structure and offer competitive rates for day passes as well as a weekend and group pass.

.

Actions Required

  1. Advise Connex of this decision.
  1. Prepare a joint media release with Connex to advertise the services.
  1. Arrange an advertisement in the JEP to advise about the services being stopped and allow public submissions.
  1. TTS and Connex to agree appropriate fare stages for the restructured fares.

Written by:

Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport

 

 

Approved by:

John Richardson – Chief Officer

File Ref: 35/9

 

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