BRIGHTON & HOVE ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL REPORT 2007

Transcription

1 BRIGHTON & HOVE ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL REPORT 2007

2 OUR RESPONSIBILITY A message from the Managing Director Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the UK today, and we are proud of our role in addressing this threat. Transport is one of the key sources of carbon dioxide and pollutants; in the city of Brighton and Hove and the surrounding area of Sussex in which we operate, our company provides one of the UK s most efficient and accessible alternatives to the private car, dramatically cutting the volume of emissions per passenger.at the same time, we work to ensure that our own carbon footprint is minimised through new technology and our ongoing green agenda. Our long-running investment programme means that our bus fleet has again been ranked among the top 5 in the UK for low emissions. This report is part of our commitment to openness on the responsibilities we have and the progress we are making in meeting them.we are delighted to be able to share this information on the progress we have made. Excellent passenger information and accessible vehicles and stops are essential if our buses are to provide a viable alternative to private transport. Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company is recognised by the industry as taking the lead in both areas. Our consistent investment in new vehicles and technological developments has ensured that bus users have a service that is reliable, accessible and easy to use. Our partnership with the City Council has been held up nationally as an example of best practice, and we also work closely with the county, borough and district councils of East and West Sussex. Independent nationwide satisfaction surveys showed that Brighton and Hove has the UK s highest satisfaction rating for the quality of its bus services and for the information provided to passengers. We are committed to continuing to run our business responsibly, accepting environmental and social challenges as an integral part of being a successful bus company. If you have any comments, feedback or views on how we can improve further, please let me know. Roger French, OBE, DL Managing Director Contents 2 The Marketplace 4 The Workplace 6 The Environment 8 The Community IBC Independent Assurance Statement Cover photo:the Royal Pavilion is one of Brighton s landmark sites on our network.

3 Brighton & Hove Environmental & Social Report WHO WE ARE THE BRIGHTON & HOVE BUS AND COACH COMPANY SERVES THE CITY OF BRIGHTON AND HOVE FROM STEYNING AND SHOREHAM THROUGH TO NEWHAVEN. We also operate longer distance routes to Eastbourne, Ringmer, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells. With more than 1,000 employees, we are the largest private sector employer based exclusively in the city. About The Go-Ahead Group plc We are part of The Go-Ahead Group plc. Go-Ahead is a major provider of transport services across the UK employing over 25,000 people and carrying over 875 million passengers. Its operations span bus, rail, parking and aviation support services. The Go-Ahead Group believes that local people make the best decisions about local services.this ethos runs throughout the Group. Go-Ahead has also developed a common framework for managing companies impact on local communities and the environment, and we measure our performance against this framework. About this report This report describes the performance of Brighton & Hove for the 12 months to 30 June It is divided into four main sections as shown below, which describe SHOREHAM STEYNING HOVE BRIGHTON LEWES NEWHAVEN TUNBRIDGE WELLS EASTBOURNE We run services in Brighton and Hove and the surrounding areas. the impacts of our activities in different areas, and our efforts to manage these responsibly. As part of our annual business planning, we have set targets and goals to improve our social and environmental performance for 2007/08. To keep this report short, we have placed a lot more information on the web.you can find this at MARKETPLACE How we run our services WORKPLACE Issues that affect the people who work for us ENVIRONMENT How we manage and reduce our impact on the environment COMMUNITY Making the communities where we operate better places to live and work

4 2 Brighton & Hove Environmental & Social Report 2007 THE MARKETPLACE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES BRIGHTON AND HOVE IS ONE OF THE CITIES IN THE UK WHERE BUS USE IS GROWING. The fact that it has grown consistently every year for more than 13 years is a reflection of our own success and our partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council. Public transport plays a key role in the city s economy. Taking people to work, education, shopping and other leisure destinations in an efficient manner ensures that the city can thrive and prosper without being strangled by the effects of traffic congestion, which blights so many other towns and cities of a similar size. Last year the number of people who used our buses increased once again by over three million.we now carry more than 43 million passengers a year, replacing literally millions of car journeys. Our responsibility: providing reliable, convenient and punctual services Running a punctual service is our greatest challenge. Although the real-time information signs are a great boon and provide reassurance that a bus is on its way, our customers understandably become frustrated if there are gaps in service when buses are delayed. The priority measures for buses on key roads introduced by the City Council are a great help in keeping buses moving through traffic, and the introduction of camera enforcement of bus lanes by the Clock Tower in March 2007 was warmly welcomed as a very effective deterrent. However, 2007 has also seen major road works introduced in the city centre by Southern Water s water mains replacement programme, which has closed North Street to traffic travelling westbound.this has led to many delays, especially on busy weekends as the diversion route travels along the seafront, which has impacted on our punctuality. However, the inconvenience this can cause has been kept to a minimum by the use of the satellite tracking system, which monitors the location and timekeeping of every bus. Our responsibility: accessibility for all, particularly people with disabilities Traditionally bus design was geared towards the able bodied. Now, low-floor buses fitted with powered ramps are a major step forward in improving access for all. Another eighteen low-floor buses were purchased in September 2006.These were high capacity 12-metre Scania Omnidekkas, which provide extra seats on the busy high frequency Metro 25 route serving both the city s universities.thousands of students use this service and have benefited from the improved accessibility these buses offer, especially those with disabilities.the opportunity was taken to extend the service to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and some daytime journeys have been diverted to provide a more convenient service to an area where many students now live. Two other popular, cross-city Metro routes were increased in frequency in Spring 2007 to improve their attractiveness and accessibility to thousands of passengers. Our responsibility: safety and security of passengers, employees and the general public The safety and security of our passengers, employees and the general public is our paramount concern. We have a comprehensive health and safety programme that includes training, risk assessments and access to specialist advice and training. Brighton & Hove was one of the first bus companies in the UK to fit all its fleet with on-board CCTV cameras. Investment has continued into the latest technological developments in safe travel and CCTV continues to be a very effective deterrent against anti-social behaviour on buses.

5 Brighton & Hove The Marketplace m Passenger Journeys 22.94m Total Vehicle kms 20.30m Passenger Vehicle kms Low-floor buses (%) We purchased another 18 low-floor buses in Plans for new measures to improve road safety along the city centre bus lanes were agreed with the City Council and police, and will be introduced within the next year Size of bus fleet Our responsibility: affordability to ensure as many as possible can use our services Prices of some tickets used in the morning peak period before 9am were increased in September 2006 to reflect significant increases in fuel costs during summer When fuel prices eased in the autumn, we took the opportunity in November to introduce a new cheaper Central fare zone of 1, which was subsequently extended in area in January 2007, together with the introduction of cheaper fares in the Queens Park and Hanover areas. Prices of tickets purchased in advance of travel were held in price in April 2007 having risen in April 2006 increasing their value even further.the price of tickets sold from the company s web site also continued to offer the best value. We still offer our very cheap Bus ID scheme for those aged five to 18 years old and, following funding from government and local authorities, free travel has been introduced for all senior citizens and those with defined disabilities. Average age of fleet Government Industry Target (max) Brighton & Hove VOSA PSV vehicle test pass rate 95.9% Brighton & Hove 85.7% National average pass rate Our new Scania Omnidekkas buses provide extra passenger capacity. Scheduled km operated buses 99.51% Brighton & Hove 99.50% Industry target

6 4 Brighton & Hove Environmental & Social Report 2007 THE WORKPLACE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WE ARE DEPENDENT ON THE 1,200 PEOPLE WE EMPLOY FOR OUR BUSINESS SUCCESS. THREE-QUARTERS OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE DRIVERS AND ACT AS OUR PUBLIC FACE IN DEALING WITH PASSENGERS. Our aim is simple: to provide a work environment that encourages our people to stay with us and attracts new recruits to join us. We offer secure employment, market leading rates of pay and a wide package of employee benefits, including a company pension. Staff pay was increased in February Our responsibility: maintaining recruitment levels Bus driving is a challenging occupation, which can make it difficult to recruit and retain good people. We recruited an additional 181 people in part to fill new vacancies created by our growing passenger numbers. Slightly more people left us than last year due to a higher number of normal age retirements and we are always looking at ways of improving our rates of retention. We recognise staff that have been loyal to the company with long service and reward employees with a gift for every five years service. Our responsibility: improving the work environment Investment in new and modern staff facilities continued with our extension and refurbishment of facilities at the bus garage in Whitehawk Road, Brighton. New reporting and rest areas were created, as well as training, meeting and recreational facilities. Our responsibility: workplace learning and developing skills Our commitment to support our employees personal development was recognised publicly, when we were awarded Best Company in the Learn Direct Southern Region Awards. A dedicated learning centre was initially set up at our Conway Street depot.this was fully equipped with a mix of IT learning materials and outside specialist tuition providers. New lifelong learning rooms have since been set up in the Lewes Road and Whitehawk garages, covering all the company. Courses offered include computing, English language and numeracy. Lifelong learning is one of the ways in which we invest in people and provide opportunities to help them improve and develop their professional and personal skills. We also offer driver training for those new to the company and driver refreshers for experienced staff. Lifelong learning is one of the ways in which we invest in people and provide opportunities to help them improve and develop their professional and personal skills. We offer driver training for all our new recruits.

7 Brighton & Hove The Workplace 5 Number of employees 944 1,032 1,049 Employee turnover rate (%) Diversity by gender Male Female Diversity by age 16-19: 0.5% 20-29: 10.4% 30-39: 17.8% 40-49: 30.5% 50-59: 28.1% 60-64: 11.8% 65+: 0.9% Top: Our commitment to support our employees personal development is exemplified by our lifelong learning centre. Bottom:We invested in modern, new staff facilities at our Whitehawk Road garage.

8 6 Brighton & Hove Environmental & Social Report 2007 THE ENVIRONMENT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ALL COMPANIES HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK TO ALLEVIATE CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT THIS RESPONSIBILITY IS CENTRAL TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES. We are pleased to use biodiesel and are working with engine manufacturers so that we can increase the bio content of our fuel still further. Persuading more people to choose the bus over the private car reduces carbon emissions, as well as local pollution and congestion. Brighton has long been a shining example of how the bus can successfully form a central element of a sustainable transport strategy.the most important contribution we can continue to make is to encourage passengers to take the bus rather than travelling by car. Adding more than three million extra passengers this year means we have replaced literally millions of car journeys.this was an excellent performance; however, we believe that we could still go further. Our responsibility: reducing emissions An independent study carried out by The TAS Partnership has again confirmed that Go-Ahead leads the field in having the most environmentally friendly bus fleets in Britain.The study compared the fleet composition of more than 100 of the largest bus companies outside London and modelled their vehicle emissions. In particular, our emissions for carbon monoxide, particulate matter and hydrocarbons were consistently among the top five lowest in the study. The most important contribution we can make to the environment is to encourage passengers to take the bus rather than the car.the Metro 7 route was increased in frequency to run every six minutes from April All new buses delivered to the Brighton & Hove fleet since 1999 have been fitted with a Continuously Regenerating Trap. From 2007, buses are fitted with the latest Euro IV standard engine and there are also plans to begin installing Euro V engines even though they will not become compulsory until Consistent investment in new vehicles over the last decade has seen the bus fleet become significantly younger. New buses delivered in July 2007, will further reduce the average age of our fleet below the Government guideline of eight years.

9 Brighton & Hove The Environment 7 VOSA emissions pass rate 100% Brighton & Hove % of fleet with Euro II engines or above This investment has ensured that developments in technology can be incorporated into new vehicles as they are manufactured each year. Many features of buses delivered in 2007 were simply unavailable at the turn of the decade. For instance, our fleet has been additionally fitted with satellite tracking for some years now, which feeds the real-time information signs as well as signs on the bus showing the next bus stop location. We are pleased to use biodiesel and are working with engine manufacturers so that we can increase the bio content of our fuel still further. Our responsibility: measuring our performance For the third year, the Go-Ahead Group came top of the public transport companies that participated in the Business in the Community (BITC) Corporate Responsibility Index. We scored 91% (89% in 2005), a significant improvement, and were ranked in the Gold Band by BITC. In the Environment Index we did even better, improving our score to 93.11% (from 91.62% in 2005) which included maximum marks for the Group s performance on emissions management. % of fleet with CRT Air pollution: NOx (g) per passenger journey 5.02 Air pollution: PM (g) per passenger journey Air pollution: CO 2 (kg) per passenger journey Air pollution: CO (g) per passenger journey Air pollution: HC (g) per passenger journey

10 8 Brighton & Hove Environmental & Social Report 2007 THE COMMUNITY OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WE PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE LIVING IN,WORKING IN OR VISITING THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE. The problems of social exclusion are very real and often exacerbated by poor transport. A growing trend is for employment opportunities to be fragmented, and shopping and leisure to be located outside the core of our towns and cities.this poses difficulties for those who don t have a car. Running our bus services is, therefore, the most important way that we contribute to community wellbeing. Vibrant and successful communities are in everybody s interest. We contribute through cash and in-kind donations and by encouraging employee involvement. The Go-Ahead Group also provides cash donations on behalf of its operating companies. Our responsibility: playing an active role in the life of the city Brighton & Hove has continued to play a leading role in many city-wide forums and partnerships. Our Managing Director continued his role as Chair of the Brighton & Hove Local Strategic Partnership, which oversees the city s sustainable community strategy. The company also plays an active role in the Economic Partnership, the Economic Development and Enterprise Board, the City Business Forum and the Hove Business Partnership. Community spend 19, % of total Group spend ( 329,987) At a local operating company level community investment is driven through support in kind activities, while the Group Head Office handles direct financial donations.the figures above include an element of both these community investment streams. The Managing Director also continued his role as Chairman of the Martlets Hospice and as a Trustee of the Argus Appeal. Support was given to both charities in various ways, including operation of the popular Santa Bus for both charities. Vibrant and successful communities are in everybody s interest. We contribute through cash and in-kind donations and by encouraging employee involvement. Roger French with staff at the Martlets Hospice.

11 SUMMARY INDEPENDENT ASSURANCE STATEMENT The SMART Company was commissioned by The Go-Ahead Group plc to provide independent assurance of the environment and social information within the Environmental and Social Reports for the period July 2006 to June The assuror conducting the verification did not participate in any part of the data gathering and report writing process.this statement represents an independent opinion.the verification was undertaken with reference to the underlying principles of the assurance standard AA1000, namely materiality, completeness and responsiveness. This is the sixth consecutive year that The SMART Company has provided assurance for Go-Ahead as part of a rolling programme of audits, ensuring all operating companies are audited at least once every three years. In 2007, the assurance process included five sample operating companies (incorporating site visits), comprising Meteor, Solent Blue Line, Southern Vectis, Go West Midlands and Southeastern. Interviews were conducted with managers responsible for the internal reporting and validation of data and sample checks of consolidated data were undertaken. On the basis of the assurance method and scope of the work undertaken we are satisfied that this report is a reliable and accurate reflection of the performance of the company. A full verification report, containing a more detailed analysis together with recommendations for developing the processes for measuring, managing and reporting Go-Ahead plc s environmental and social impacts, can be found at The SMART Company, August 2007 Go-Ahead The Brighton & Hove Bus Company is part of The Go-Ahead Group plc. Members of the group run bus services (in the south of England, London, the West Midlands and the north east of England), commuter train networks, aviation ground handling and parking services. Other companies within the group are: aviance UK Go North East Go West Midlands London Central, London General and Docklands Minibuses Meteor Metrobus Oxford Bus Company Solent Blue Line Southeastern Southern Southern Vectis Wilts & Dorset

12 More information on how The Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company manages its responsibilities can be found at If you have any comments, views or ideas on how we might improve, or have any thoughts on other issues that we should address in this report, please use the enclosed form or write to: Roger French Managing Director The Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company Ltd 43 Conway Street Hove East Sussex BN3 3LT Telephone: This report was put together by The Go-Ahead Group with help from The SMART Company, and designed and produced by Rare Corporate Design, London. Printed by Beacon Press using their environmental print technology which minimises any negative environmental impacts resulting from the printing of this document. includes the use of vegetable based inks, recycling of 90% of dry waste and 95% of cleaning solvents for future use. Beacon Press holds the Queen s Award for Sustainable Development together with ISO14001 and EMAS accreditations. Beacon is a CarbonNeutral company and uses 100% renewable energy, saving 0.38 tonnes of CO 2 on the production of Go-Ahead s 2007 corporate responsibility reports. Printed on Revive 75 Matt which contains 75% recovered fibres, is FSC certified and is CarbonNeutral.