Decision details

That the Cabinet Member:

a)Notes the work undertaken to date, to identify improvements to existing Council supported and commercial services which best meet the Bus Service Improvement Plan objectives of growing bus patronage and improving access to leisure and tourism.

b)  Approves the use of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding to pay for proposed improvements to the bus services identified in this report, using a De Minimis contract and extensions to existing service contracts.

The three improvements proposed will significantly improve passengers’ ability to access leisure and tourism opportunities across the County and will support the objectives of Derbyshire’s ambitious BSIP.

Furthermore, use of public transport reduces the number of private vehicles on the road and a positive consequence of that is the reduction in CO₂ emissions. With many people becoming increasingly concerned for the wider environment, combined with the rising costs to own, and run a private car, it is anticipated that many travellers will be contemplating more sustainable travel options to benefit the environment and their own living costs. It is therefore imperative that the public have access to a transport network that works for them. 

Do nothing and accept that the operator will not introduce the new improvements to the three services. This would go against one of the key objectives in the BSIP to improve links to leisure and tourism opportunities. This option is therefore not considered appropriate.

Implement the improvements to the three services proposed. This will meet the stated objectives of the BSIP and will enable the growth in passenger numbers to take place over the life of the BSIP, which concurrently involves a variety of other related projects targeted at generating addition demand for bus services more generally.  

            Option 2, as set out above, is therefore considered the best Option.