Agenda Item 20. TITLE Bus Services in Woodley and Earley FOR CONSIDERATION BY The Executive on 29 June 2017 WARD DIRECTOR LEAD MEMBER Bulmershe and Whitegates, Coronation, Loddon, Maiden Erlegh, South Lake Josie Wragg, Interim Director of Environment Chris Bowring, Executive Member for Highways and Transport OUTCOME / BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY To continue a cost effective transport service which meets the most critical social needs within the local communities of Woodley and Earley. RECOMMENDATION That the Executive agrees to: 1) implement Option 4 presented in the report that maintains for one year an hourly service on the existing 19a and 19c bus routes, whilst a new contract is put in place through a tender process; 2) explore options to make the provision of these bus routes more financially sustainable through identifying alternative sources of funding. 3) approve a supplementary estimate for 35,225 for 17/18 and to note a pressure of 8,958 growth for 18/19 SUMMARY OF REPORT The contract for the provision of the 19a&c bus services was due to come to an end in May 2017, this has now been extended by three months to September 2017, to allow for an assessment and agreement of options for the immediate provision of services and for the interim period between September 2017 and September 2018, whilst a solution for the longer term provision is found. The Council contributes to the provision of this service. A high proportion of concessionary pass holders make use of this service. The operation of the service is not commercially viable on its own and the service provider has informed the Council that it cannot continue with the current arrangements. Options are being considered for the immediate provision of services throughout 2017/18 and for a longer term solution Appendix A 53
Background Wokingham Borough Council currently provides financial support towards the operation of the 19a (anti-clockwise) and 19c (clockwise) bus services that travels from Woodley to Lower Earley. The service operates every 30 minutes at peak times and every hour at non-peak times between Monday and Saturday. The contract for this service was due to end in May 2017, this has now been extended by three months to September 2017 to allow for an assessment and agreement of options for the immediate provision of services and for the interim period between September 2017 and September 2018, whilst a solution for the longer term provision is found. At peak times, Reading Buses also operates a commercial service that connects with the 19a&c services in Lower Earley with a service that travels to Reading town centre via the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The existing 19a/c service has made a significant financial loss in 2016/17, which is projected to increase further in 2017/18. Usage The 19a & 19c pass through some of the borough s most socially deprived areas and provide much needed access to public services, including the Royal Berkshire Hospital, as well as access to Reading town centre. Appendix 1 shows this route and its connection to Reading. The 19a/c provides the following social benefits: The only bus service along Drovers Way & Coppice Road, The only bus service along Miles Way & Comet Way, The only bus service along Culver Lane, Woodley The only bus service along Vauxhall Drive, Woodley The only bus service along Silverdale Road, Maiden Erlegh The only bus service along Church Road, Earley Access between Woodley and Maiden Erlegh Access to Hurricane Way GP s Surgery, Access to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, The 983 school service from Lower Earley to Bulmershe School. In 2015/16 the following passenger boarding s were recorded: Fare Zone Number of Passengers Boarding All supported journeys (19a/c) 58,343 In Woodley (including Culver Lane) 23,474 In Earley 6,858 983 School Service 4,643 * Detailed analysis of passengers boarding is provided in part 2. 54
Approximately 35% of passenger trips on the 19a/c were made by concessionary passes holders. Growth in concessionary pass holders is at a rate of approximately 1% per year in Woodley and Earley. Commercially, Reading Buses provide a number of peak journeys from Woodley and Silverdale Road to the hospital on the 19a/c. All journeys between the hospital and Reading Town Centre are also commercial. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECOMMENDATION The Council faces severe financial challenges over the coming years as a result of the austerity measures implemented by the Government and subsequent reductions to public sector funding. It is estimated that Wokingham Borough Council will be required to make budget reductions in excess of 20m over the next three years and all Executive decisions should be made in this context. Current Financial Year (Year 1) Next Financial Year (Year 2) Following Financial Year (Year 3) How much will it Cost/ (Save) Is there sufficient funding if not quantify the Shortfall Revenue or Capital? Part 2 Part 2 Revenue Other financial information relevant to the Recommendation/Decision The details of the financial implications are included in Part 2 Cross-Council Implications No Reasons for considering the report in Part 2 Commercial sensitivity List of Background Papers Route Maps Contact Rebecca Brooks Service Highways and Transport Telephone No 0118 9748302 Email Rebecca.Brooks@wokingham.gov.uk Date 19 June 2017 Version No. 1 55
APPENDIX A Provision of Services During 2017/18 Commercially Reading Buses operate a number of other services in the Woodley and Earley areas; these are detailed below. 12 a commercial service operating between 0635 and 1835 from Reading Town Centre to Woodley, Chequers via Fairwater Drive Monday to Friday. This service is due to be withdrawn in July 2017. 13 a commercial service which operates up to every 30 minutes in an anticlockwise direction around Woodley. Departures from Reading are between 0515 and 2330 Monday to Thursday, with additional journeys until 0230 on a Friday and Saturday. An hourly service is provided on a Sunday between 0730 and 2230. Journey time to Reading from Culver Lane = 50 minutes From July 2017 additional peak journeys will be added to this service so that there are 3 morning departures between 7am and 8am and 3 evening departures between 5pm and 6pm from Sandford Lane. 14 a commercial service which operates up to every 30 minutes in a clockwise direction around Woodley. Departures from Reading are between 0500 and 2300 Monday to Saturday. An hourly Sunday service is provided between 0800 and 2200. Journey time to Reading from Culver Lane = 15 minutes From July 2017 there will be an additional departure between 3pm and 4pm from Sandford Lane. 19b a commercial service which operates up to hourly between Reading Town Centre and Asda with departures from Reading Town centre between 0617 and 1902 Monday to Saturday. Commercial changes will be made to this service in July 2017. 21 a commercial service which operates up to four buses an hour Monday to Saturday between Reading Town centre, Reading University, and along Rushey Way. Services depart Reading Town Centre from 0400 to 0251 Monday to Thursday with an additional 0351 departure on a Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, up to three buses an hour between 0747 and 0251. 4/X4 a commercial service which operates up to four buses an hour between Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Monday to Saturday. Departures from Reading are between 0540 to 2310 Monday to Friday and 0618 to 2310 Saturday. On Sunday up to two buses an hour are provided between 0822 and 0915. The 1985 Transport Act, amended by the 2002 Regulations, allows the Council to follow one of two procurement routes. Firstly, with a relatively low value contract the Council may procure the service using de minimis limits for a suitable term. Secondly, with a higher value contract the Council will have to follow a full EU tender process. Analysis of Issues 56
Through lengthy negotiations with Reading Buses, four potential options have been identified for the future provision of bus services in Woodley and Lower Earley: Option 1 Continue with the existing services unchanged This option is presented in Appendix 1. Option 2 An hourly service to Coppice Road, a two hourly service to Toseland Way and no service on Silverdale Road This option is presented in Appendix 2. The following benefits would be lost: A bus service along Silverdale Road, Maiden Erlegh The following benefits would be reduced: Access between Woodley and Maiden Erlegh would only be as far as Toseland Way The nearest alternative services would be: Affected Area Alternative Service Max Walk Distance* No Buses Silverdale Road Lion 4/X4 869m (10 mins) 4 per hour Silverdale Road 19b 1.3km (15 mins) 1 per hour Silverdale Road Claret 21 1.6km (19 mins) 4 per hour *the furthest stop in the affected area from the alternative service, and assumes an average walking speed of 5kmph Option 3 an hourly service for Silverdale Road, a service every two hours to Woodley This option is presented in Appendix 3. No social benefits would be lost. The following social benefits would be reduced: a reduction in service to one bus every 2 hours for Drovers Way & Coppice Way a reduction in service to one bus every 2 hours for Miles Way & Comet Way a reduction in service to one bus every 2 hours for Culver Lane Access between Woodley and Maiden Erlegh would be reduced to one bus every 2 hours Direct access to the hospital would reduce to one bus every 2 hours and journey times would increase. The nearest alternative services would be: Affected Area Alternative Service Max Walk Distance* No Buses Drovers Way & Orange 13/14 558m (6.5 mins) 4 per hour Coppice Way Culver Lane Orange 13/14 636m (7.5 mins) 4 per hour Vauxhall Drive Orange 13/14 753m (9 mins) 4 per hour 57
*considers the furthest stop affected along the route, assumes an average walking speed of 5kmph Option 4 an hourly service for Woodley and Maiden Erlegh This option is presented in Appendix 4. The following social benefits would be lost: A bus service along Church Road, Earley The following social benefits would be reduced: Direct journey times to the hospital would increase by between 2 minutes at Coppice Road and 29 minutes at Culver Lane. The nearest alternative services would be: Affected Area Alternative Service Max Walk Distance* No Buses Church Road Orange 13/14/19a/c 305m (3.5 mins) at least 4 per hour Culver Lane Orange 13/14 636m (7.5 mins) 4 per hour *the furthest stop in the affected area from the alternative service, and assumes an average walking speed of 5kmph Some commercial peak journeys on the Orange 13/14 would have to make use of the single decker bus before it is used for the 19a/c. Reading Buses have confirmed that the single decker vehicle provides sufficient capacity for passengers wanting to travel. Options Summary The table below shows the four options presented above and the impact they will have for residents in the Woodley and Lower Earley areas: Summary Table Supported Service Changes Opt. 1 Opt. 2 Opt. 3 Opt. 4 (as is) Serves Drovers Way & Coppice Road Hourly Hourly 2 Hourly Hourly Serves Culver Lane Hourly Hourly 2 Hourly Hourly Serves Miles Way & Comet Way Hourly Hourly 2 Hourly Hourly Serves Vauxhall Drive Hourly Hourly Hourly Hourly Serves Silverdale Road Hourly Hourly Hourly Access between Woodley and Earley Hourly Limited* 2 Hourly Hourly Serves Hurricane Way GP Surgery Hourly Hourly 2 Hourly Hourly Church Road, Earley Hourly Hourly Serves Royal Berkshire Hospital (W) Hourly Hourly Hourly Hourly Serves Royal Berkshire Hospital (E) Hourly 2 Hourly Hourly Includes the 983 School service Yes Yes Yes Yes Impact on Commercial Services Peak Services Withdrawn No Yes Yes Yes Single decker on peak 13/14 journeys No No No Yes (W) Woodley, (E) Earley, * service as far as Toseland Way, No Service Local Impact 58
The provision of the 19a&c services provides a direct benefit to the Lower Earley and Woodley residents. This benefit includes providing much needed access to hospital and other public services for residents in some of the most deprived areas of the borough. 59
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