Enough being invested to get us onto buses?
Government, both national and local, have published plans relating to increasing bus use and improving our bus services. These documents are not a light read so in this article I attempt to summarise those aspects of their plans that seem relevant to our local bus provision in the Rother Valley.
Overview of WSCC Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
With the publication of the government’s National Bus Strategy (NBS), West Sussex County Council (WSCC) were obliged to develop and implement a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP, 145 pages), which was published on 29 October 2021, see here.
WSCC’s BSIP’s first section is a summary of its Mission including its aims and objectives, targets, and the challenges to their plan, as well as its programme to improve bus services. It then sets out an overview and background to its plan which includes location, demographics, current bus offer, accessibility, fares, and ticketing. This is followed by a section discussing a range of bus user surveys and other surveys that it has used to support its strategy.
The strategy refers to ten supporting policies that support their BSIP (full List in appendix 1 of this article) followed by the fourteen key points (see appendix 2) in delivering the proposed BSIP (pages 40 to 76).
The strategy continues with additional ambitions for a longer-term transformation of the transport and bus networks, a passenger charter, reporting procedures and marketing and promotion.
The appendices of the WSCC BSIP list 17 tables of research data used in the compilation of the BSIP.
Introduction
For this article I will discuss the following elements of BSIP in the context of our own rural area within the Rother Valley:-
I will comment on the Bus Users Survey; the key proposals of WSCC’s BSIP that are relevant and that will, hopefully, positively impact on improving bus services; funding issues; make some observations on the proposals; and draw conclusion on how well it will work to get people out of their cars and onto buses.
Nationally during Covid, passenger numbers dropped significantly, however, bus numbers in West Sussex had been declining since its 2015/16 peak of 27.4 million, down to 24.8 million in 2019/20, which is in line with a similar decline throughout the South East of England.
To summarise 145 pages down for this short article means I can only focus on problems identified and proposed solutions in this plan for our rural villages between Petersfield and Midhurst although there will be some reference to a wider geographic area for context purposes.
National Bus Strategy
In March 2021 the Government published a new National Bus Strategy(NBS) known as ‘Bus Back Better’ (published March 15th, 2021) see here, with the aim to encourage travellers out of their cars and back on to public transport after the significant decline in bus passenger numbers during the Covid pandemic, and to reduce vehicle emissions caused by the increase in car use.
The aims of WSCC’s BSIP mirrors the aims set out in the NBS and can be summarised as follows:-
· To recover bus patronage to pre-pandemic levels and to engender significant growth and quality improvements in bus provision across the county
· To increase the number of bus priority schemes with emphasis on enhanced timetable reliability and reduced journey times
· To develop a bus network that delivers the needs of all potential users at most hours of the day
· To simplify fares and ticketing and reduce fares for passengers under the age of 30 (depending on funding) .
· To bring about a step change in terms of improved services for our rural areas
· To support technical and operational innovation in bus service provision, including accelerating the introduction of zero-emission buses and promoting a bus decarbonisation programme. (pp 7 and 8)
Factors informing and impacting the WSCC BSIP
WSCC carried out a bus users survey between 18 August and 14 September 2021 (BSIP pp 28 - 30 and appendix E).
Bus users were made aware of the surveys by bus operators displaying posters inside buses and at bus stops that had suitable display boards.
Bus service operators were informed of the WSCC BSIP via email in October and November 2021.
WSCC in Autumn 2020 undertook a review of their Local Transport Plan and many issues regarding bus usage in this review are reflected in the views expressed in the bus users survey (pp 27, 28).
Intensive services such as Portsmouth to Brighton via Chichester; nearby supplementary services incorporating connectivity for Bosham, Chichester, Littlehampton, Worthing and Brighton & Hove; routes linking to Gatwick, East Sussex and Surrey are all discussed on pages 41 and 42 and it would seem they are identified as the priority routes for near future investment.
Funding
Page 6 of the WSCC BSIP states:
‘The Department for Transport (DfT) has indicated that an ambitious BSIP will be a factor in determining funding allocations. This BSIP therefore addresses all the above. It does so by creating a bid for funding for 3 years for revenue (resource, services) support of £85.6m and capital (infrastructure improvements) of £52.7m.’
And Page 7 states:
‘It should be noted that many of our (WSCC) proposals are unfunded. Therefore, successful delivery of our BSIP is dependent on receiving appropriate funding from Government. To this will be added developer contributions, bus operator investment, and WSCC and other funding.’
Proposals by WSCC for potential improvement in our rural area
Corridor Enhancements page 43:
‘There are a small number of corridors which already have the level of service aspired to, such as Stagecoach route 60 between Chichester and Midhurst, and Stagecoach route 600 between Chichester, Bognor Regis, and Elmer, although both require an improved Sunday evening service.
‘Many routes have suffered service withdrawals over the last 12 years because of funding difficulties and it is clear that providing only basic service to meet social need is not achieving the growth in passenger usage inherent in Government policy and the primary purpose of this BSIP.
‘WSCC has identified these significant movement corridors and the partnership will enhance the basic service to include evening service and Sunday service. • Midhurst – Petworth – Worthing.’
Rural Services and Mobility Hubs Page 48
‘WSCC will enhance bus services connecting our towns and villages with a minimum service level of hourly or better together with evening and Sunday services, and elsewhere to convert infrequent bus services to DDRT [Digital Demand Responsive Transport]. Consequently, the level of accessibility across the County will be greatly improved regardless of where our residents live - In addition, WSCC is planning to refit and expand if necessary (because of additional services) our existing bus stations to transform them into Super Hubs.
‘WSCC will initially introduce two pilot DDRT schemes in Barnham and north west Chichester and roll out three additional schemes within a three-year period, learning from the experience of our own pilot projects.
‘WSCC will work with stakeholders, passengers, and local authorities to identify suitable locations for eight Mobility Hubs by 2023, agree the required facilities at each location, obtain any required planning permission, and construct.
‘WSCC will recondition existing bus stations to create a step change in appearance and facilities so they can become Super Hubs – for example we envisage three Mobility Hubs and a Super Hub in Chichester. Horsham bus station is too small for current use patterns of both buses and passengers – discussion for expansion, reconfiguration of routes, or another Hub near the town have begun.’
It also proposes Midhurst, in the longer term could be a hub for the interchangeability of road, cycling, pedestrian, community transport with timetabled or DDRT bus services.
Funding Revisited
ERA Travel and Transport Lead contacted WSCC Bus Back Team to enquire on the recent announcement by a central government representative that £17m had been made available to WSCC BSIP, the response received by ERA was as follows:
‘Yesterday a paper was put forward to Council leaders on possible spend items.
‘All the items were covered in a bid put to Department for Transport last year, for £90m over 3 years, in a Bus Service Improvement Plan agreed with operators.
‘The department responded in early April indicating up to £17m could be available - and indicating that bus lanes, Real-time Information Screens, and fare reductions are favoured above support for existing services. Decarbonising the bus fleets is from a different budget now too.
‘The paper for WSCC approval suggests a fare scheme for youths, a bus lane near Chichester added to the A259 from Bognor, bus lanes in Crawley, doubling the number of Realtime screens from 300, and a new service from Chichester to Littlehampton passing through the areas where much new housing is planned.
‘In rural areas Demand Responsive Transport services is proposed – 5 slightly different models to allow analysis of what works best locally.
‘I am hoping the Department engages with WSCC to discuss the spend suggested, which is to be finalised by WSCC at end of June.’
Observations
I would argue that WSCC’s BSIP is too long at 154 pages, in particular the narrative relating to survey results It repeats a lot of the information in both text and tabular form.
I would question why the bus users survey was limited in the way it informed the public of its existence. It was aimed at current bus users but would have benefitted from also having sought out opinions from potential future bus users.
The number of responses to the survey relative to the population of West Sussex was 0.354% of the West Sussex Population of 858,852 (ONS 2018) and to put it in local context, the number of responses was less than the population of Midhurst.
With regard to the introduction of DDRT, no mention is made of lack of reliable mobile phone connectivity in rural areas and that engaging the older generation might be a bar to it meeting passenger needs.
I contacted local Community Bus operators regarding their input into the BSIP and their attitude towards DDRT. From the responses I received, they have not had any significant engagement with the BSIP or the installation of DDRT technology and back office supporting functions, I would ask who will pay for the installation of DDRT system?
Clearly funding is going to be a significant issue. WSCC have stated they cannot fund the plan, therefore, they are reliant on government and stakeholder funding (bus operators?).
For bus operators to invest in low/zero carbon buses they will need to raise significant capital investment as with the introduction of DDRT and RTPI infrastructure.
The improvement and the creation of bus priority lanes and traffic light priority systems will also require significant investment in road improvements.
Conclusions
In summary the plan recognises that many improvements are needed to attract people out of their cars and back on to buses. However, if you the read the plan you will see that the short to medium term focus is on main transit routes along the south coast and to Gatwick; urban and suburban routes at the expense of rural areas.
As discussed, funding is going to be the determining factor as to how much of this plan will come to fruition, with an estimated funding requirement over “ 3 years for revenue (resource, services) support of £85.6m and capital (infrastructure improvements) of £52.7m.”
So £17million for year one is a disappointing amount for what is an ambitious plan to get people out of their cars and on to buses. Recent inflationary pressure since the BSIP was written, is going to negatively impact on the affordability of this plan and its implementation, and for our rural area it is unlikely we will see any improvements in the near future
Barry Cooper
ERA Travel and Transport Lead
References
WSCC Bus Service Improvement Plan BSIP
Other Sources of information
Department Of Transport Future : Rural Strategy Call for Evidence
Supplement Item 10 West Sussex Transport Plan Appendix A
Appendix 1: Supporting Policies
National Planning Policy Framework (2019)
National Bus Strategy (2021) Bus Back Better
Transport Act 1985
Transport Act 2000 and Local Transport Act 2008
Bus Service Act (2017)
Transport Strategy for the South East (June 2020)
Coast to Capital LEP
West Sussex LTP3 (2011-2026) ( under review)
West Sussex Bus Strategy (2018-2026)
West Sussex Transport Plan Review Survey (Autumn 2021)
Appendix 2: Delivering BSIP, Key Points
Approach to Methodology
Bus services review
Intensive services and key inter-urban corridors
Other corridor enhancements
Urban area improvement
Rural services and mobility hubs
Bus priority proposals
Making fares lower and simpler
Seamless and integrated local ticketing between operators
Integration of service patterns and other modes
Providing passenger information including Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI)
Modern buses and decarbonisation
Giving passengers and stakeholders more of a voice
Walking routes to bus stops
Vegetation overhanging the carriageway
Bus stops and shelters
Safety and security for passengers
Increasing demand responsive services and socially necessary transport
Potential DDRT
Subsidy and value for money