Date: 08 December 2006 19:37

PARISHES TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON CHANGES TO CONTRACT BUS SERVICES

Parish councils and passengers are being asked to have their say as part of 
a public consultation on changes to contract bus services that cannot be run 
commercially.

 Cambridgeshire County Council spends more than £2.8 million a year 
providing bus services on routes that are not commercially viable despite 
having no legal duty to and receiving less than half the funding from 
Government.

But with new tenders rising by 11 per cent last year - over four times the 
rate of inflation and Government funding rising nationally on average by 2.4 
per cent the Council, like almost half of County Councils, are being forced 
to change and reduce services.

Fifteen of the 80 services that the County Council provides are being looked 
at - some of which carry as few as five passengers a day but costs the 
Council £5,228. The 15 have been identified as those which either contribute 
least towards ensuring rural access, provide poorest value for money and are 
used by the fewest people.

Wherever possible the Council is looking at different ways of delivering 
these services such as through community transport schemes. Not only have 
officers asked for Parish councils to have their say and make suggestions 
but also will be talking to passengers to see if more tailored services can 
be used.

Government provides some funding for rural bus services but the level of 
grant is decided by ministers and does not cover the full cost and is also 
not guaranteed to continue.

Cambridgeshire is one of the lowest funded County Councils in the country 
while being one of the fastest growing areas. This has put pressure on 
budgets across the Council which has to prioritise spending.

In the latest survey carried out by the national Association of Transport 
Co-ordinating Officers the cost of re-tendering services in shire counties 
like Cambridgeshire rose on average by 14 per cent. It found that 52 per 
cent of English shires are expected to make cuts this year and 33 per cent 
of all authorities.

The Association and the County Council are calling for better funding from 
Government so that more investment can be put into providing public 
transport for isolated communities.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for 
Environment and Community Services said: "Cambridgeshire is committed to 
improving public transport and is bucking national trends in improving 
passenger numbers which is why we regret having to look at changing or 
removing some of these services. Unfortunately the cost of providing these 
services has risen dramatically with no corresponding rise in Government 
funding. It is clear we are not alone in this and we like other authorities 
across the UK are having to make some tough decisions. As one of the few 
Councils who have increased bus passenger numbers we feel these services are 
important, especially for those isolated communities they serve. That is why 
we will continue to urge Government for extra funding for public transport.

"That is why we have launched this consultation to find ways of replacing or 
changing these services, especially because some of these are only used by a 
handful of people. We think there may be a much better and tailored way to 
deliver some of these services and we will look at every possibility. That 
is why we will not only be talking to the parishes affected but also getting 
on buses and talking to passengers directly."

People can make their views known by ringing: 01223 714005. Initial feedback 
should be received by 15 January 2007.

Time Line: Initial feedback by 15 January. Services reviewed and further 
talks carried out as necessary. Decision made by the end of January. Bus 
operators informed 9 February due to legal requirements. Service changes 
introduced 8 April.

 For more information on community transport schemes click on: 
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/community/