Decision details

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)     the current 2021/22 scheme year Cabinet recommends to Council support for the continued concessionary travel reimbursement of bus operators at the adjusted pre-COVID levels with an expected saving of £350k: and

RESOLVED that:-

(b)    Cabinet acknowledges the government’s published Covid-19 Recovery Guidance for the start of the next financial year (2022/23) and recommends to Council that concessionary travel reimbursement payments and associated budget allocation to bus operators are adjusted in accordance with the guidance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Sustainability and Transport

Reason

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact on bus travel including concessionary passenger journeys. The recovery has been slower than expected and journeys undertaken remain at between 60 and 70 per cent of pre-COVID levels. Government guidance continues to be for Travel Concession Authorities to maintain concessionary travel reimbursement at adjusted pre-COVID levels in support of vital local bus service providers so that they can continue to play a central role in our community after the pandemic.

Without this reimbursement there would be a substantial loss of bus services across the BCP area. This would have the greatest impact on young people, older people and families from lower income households, disabled people and women. All these groups rely more on bus services than the general population.

A phased move towards reimbursement again being based on concessionary journeys alone is recommended by government through its Covid-19 Recovery Guidance. This is intended to get bus services back on a healthy path to recovery.