Agenda item

Environmental & Technical Services Portfolio Holder. To receive a report (C-046-2020-21) on a proposal for a three month trial of a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) bus service.

(1)        The Cabinet agreed that continued subsidy payments to Essex County Council for operation of Bus 87 was not sustainable and as agreed by Cabinet on 19 October the outcome of Travel Local initiative of Covid 19 Recovery projects be progressed further;

(2)     The Cabinet agreed allocation of £26,574 from the Sustainable Travel Projects for a three month trial of a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) bus service to be operated by Epping Forest Community Transport (EFCT) and to include as much of the current Route 87 as was feasible; and

(3)        A further report be presented to Cabinet with the outcomes of the DRT trial and opportunities to extend the DRT service to other parts of the District to improve connectivity. 

The Environmental and Technical Services Portfolio Holder, Councillor N Avey introduced the report on the Travel Local Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) trial.

Earlier in the year the Council agreed to part fund operation of Bus Route 87 service with Essex County Council when the commercial operator Arriva was unable to operate it as a commercially viable option. This was initially done on a six month basis from 1 April 2020, however due to the impact of Covid-19 this was extended by another three months up to 31 December 2020. Covid-19 had compounded the commercial viability of this service as fewer people were using the bus, however, it remains popular within the Loughton area and between Epping Station and Staple Tye and Central Harlow.

It was proposed that instead of extending the subsidy the money could be better utilised in trialling a ‘hybrid’ Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service with Epping Forest Community Transport (EFCT). This was a pre booked peak hours service where passengers could check the route, availability and decide to book a seat if they so wished. Off peak, a traditional timetabled service would run, with acceptance of concessionary passes (but subject to Covid-19 vehicle occupation rules).

Due to the uncertainty over demand and the costs associated in setting up a DRT it was necessary to have a budget to carry out a trial. If successful it could be self-financing and could serve as a baseline for introduction in other parts of the District. For avoidance of doubt any passengers wishing to use the new service will be charged the same fares as the current operator Arriva. 

Councillor Philip welcomed the report saying it was an important mode of transport and was looking forward to adding more services.

Councillor H Whitbread said that this was good idea that would benefit local people. She asked how this service would be advertised to ensure its maximum usage. She was told that if agreed officers would start aggressive advertising, run a PR campaign and also put up notices in the bus shelters etc. It would be key to publicise it to staff and to use social media.

Councillor Patel commented that there was potential to expand the service and link all bus routes together, linking the High Streets. This would be a way forward after the trial.

Councillor S Kane asked how success was being measured on this trial and when would we start assessing that. Q Durrani (Service Director) said that they would be monitoring it from day 1 and would report back in quarter 4, in March 2021. Officers have spoken to the Hospitals who would be using the service as well as our own staff.  There will be a digital booking service. But it will also have to be Covid secure.

Councillor Chris Pond said it was a good trial initiative. There would be difficulties to mesh it with other services. He noted that a lot of the peak time service passengers would be school children. There was room for some confusion and particularly for OAPs for when their passes would be available to use. Also, could the service serve the Newham Council Campsite at Debden Green and would it cover the Langston Road Retail Park. Mr Durrani commented that the old Counties Service would not serve the retail park so our service could pick this up.

Councillor Janet Whitehouse asked what the capacity of the bus would be and how often would the bus run. She was told that because of Covid it would be a maximum of 7 passengers, and it would be an hourly service, but would also be demand responsive. If needed a second vehicle could be put on.  Councillor Bedford noted that now hospital staff would be vaccinated, we could increase the number that used the service from the hospital. Officers would also investigate if one bus could just be for hospital staff.

Decision:

(1)        The Cabinet agreed that continued subsidy payments to Essex County Council for operation of Bus 87 was not sustainable and as agreed by Cabinet on 19 October the outcome of Travel Local initiative of Covid 19 Recovery projects be progressed further;

(2)     The Cabinet agreed allocation of £26,574 from the Sustainable Travel Projects for a three month trial of a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) bus service to be operated by Epping Forest Community Transport (EFCT) and to include as much of the current Route 87 as was feasible; and

(3)        A further report be presented to Cabinet with the outcomes of the DRT trial and opportunities to extend the DRT service to other parts of the District to improve connectivity. 

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

To seek funding for a trial DRT service which could be self-financing in future.

Other Options for Action:

It was not sustainable to continue to subsidise the non-commercially viable Bus Route 87 and the Council could stop this subsidy which may cause some reputational risk to the Council by disconnecting parts of the District from Harlow and the Princess Alexandra Hospital.