FOCUS ON FINTRY: SERVICES 32/33 ROUTE REVIEW PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENT Focus on Fintry: Route Review Services 32/33 Public Consultation Document Autumn 2017 XPLORE DUNDEE (Tayside Public Transport Co Ltd.) 44-48 East Dock Street, Dundee, DD1 3JS
Document Contents 3 Background to the consultation 4 Communities Currently Served 5 Consultation Timeline 6 Contribute Feedback & Next Steps 7 Service Delay Points 8 Route Review: Proposal 1 (Xplore Dundee draft) 9 Route Review: Proposal 2 (passenger suggestion) [2]
Background FOCUS ON FINTRY: Services 32/33 Route Review Public Consultation Document Current Scenario: Services 32/33 For as long as Fintry has stood, its local bus services have run to and from the City Centre via the Forfar Road. The existing route (see page 7) serves a corridor supporting a number of areas with a combined population of over 11,800 1. Each area has distinctive demographics with varying needs. As the city s main bus operator, we aim to provide a level of service which is suitable and reliable to help people access both residences and neighbourhood amenities. Services 32/33 operate with a combined timetable. Each service is scheduled to run every 15 minutes, delivering an overall headway of 7-8 minutes (Monday to Friday daytime), making it one of the four most frequent bus corridors in Dundee. The Challenge: Punctuality The timekeeping of all our routes is closely monitored in order to measure compliance with regulations set out by the Traffic Commissioner. With car ownership 2 (and congestion 3 ) rising, alongside an ongoing programme of roadworks throughout Dundee, maintaining this compliance across our network is an increasingly difficult task particularly with services 32/33. Although a historic route, the Forfar Road is likewise a trunk-road which carries heavy volumes of traffic (an estimated daily average of 26,847 4 last year). This high volume is further compounded with a variability factor from day-to-day on the Forfar Road not experienced on other key thoroughfares; corridors such as the Lochee Road or Broughty Ferry Road indeed experience comparable traffic flows, but these tend to have much more regular (and thus predictable) patterns. It is therefore inordinately difficult to judge and implement adequate means of timekeeping for services 32/33 compared to other routes in our network. At present, the effort to maintain reliability requires augmented resources. In terms of route distance, local demographics and passenger levels, services 32/33 are similar to service 18. However, whilst we can operate the 18 with a peak vehicle requirement (PVR) of five, services 32/33 have a PVR of seven. If reliability continues to suffer, we can expect patronage to follow suit. This trend will present us with the eventual (and regrettable) circumstances that costs will increase as revenue declines, thus threatening the future viability of the current service. The Solution: Route Review All services in our network are subject to continual feedback and review. Through a rigorous process, we work hard (against evolving factors beyond our control) to provide services which are both efficient and effective means of transporting thousands of Dundonians to work, school, the shops and everywhere in between. As such, we take cognizance of ongoing reliability issues affecting services 32/33. It is clear to us what the challenges are which is why, in response, we have drafted some proposed changes. This consultation exercise is a bid to involve our passengers in identifying solutions for their services, and inviting their ideas too. It is important to us that this process is open and engaging; we want to work with you to shape the future provision of transport in your area. We are placing a special focus on Fintry in the wake of our recent whole- Network Review in order to dedicate our full attention to this route review. 1 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2016 data-zones estimate overall corridor population to be 11,858: http://simd.scot/2016/#/simd2016/btttttt/14/-2.9354/56.4863/ 2 Access to private cars increased by 4% from 2001 to 2011, according to census data: http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/censusresults/release2a/rel2asbfigure22.pdf 3 Motor vehicle counts in Dundee have risen by almost 10,000 (net) since 2000: http://www.dft.gov.uk/trafficcounts/area.php?region=scotland&la=dundee+city 4 Motor vehicle counts between Kingsway and William Fitzgerald Way, 2016: chromeextension://gbkeegbaiigmenfmjfclcdgdpimamgkj/views/app.html [3]
Communities Currently Served Fintry Fintry is home to a significant population (almost 6,000), with above-average incidences of low-income backgrounds. The North-East ward (which Fintry is in) has an income deprivation level of 26.6% 5, and 39.2% 6 of residents are non-working-age, compared to just 32.9% 7 across Dundee. These local characteristics suggest a statistically higher likelihood of dependency on bus services with the area generating almost 80% of current patronage on this corridor. Linlathen The north-western corner of this estate accesses the corridor from the stops opposite Morrisons (with the northbound stops accessible only by the Forfar Road underpass). There is a relatively small number of people in this part of Linlathen (approximately 300), but 1,895 in the whole scheme suggesting more people would benefit from a reformed route via Glenconnor Drive (in addition to existing services 15/17 on Pitkerro Road). Income deprivation in Linlathen is 10% higher than in Fintry, at 36.7%, indicating high service demand. Passengers from outwith this area also travel to shop at Morrisons. Maryfield This area is considerably more affluent than Fintry or Linlathen, but has a slightly older-than-average population, with 18.8% of its 1641 residents aged 65+, compared to 17.4% across the city. Currently, residents have a direct, frequent link to amenities in Stobswell, the local district centre. Within Maryfield itself, destinations itself include: Morgan Academy, Maryfield Medical Centre and the DISC Complex on Mains Loan. Mill o Mains This small community, home to approximately 750 people, is an island estate with one peripheral road linking a series of cul-de-sacs. Previous services which have run into the estate itself have proven commercially unviable, hence service 236 currently operates as a tendered contract through Dundee City Council. In recent years, the ongoing redevelopment of Mill o Mains has made it difficult to serve an area which is not fully occupied, but the impending completion of these projects will stabilise the area in future. Service for Mill o Mains will therefore be considered in this route review. Stobswell Densely populated with more than 3,200 people concentrated in the tenement blocks on and around Albert Street. The main thoroughfare acts as the local district centre, with shops and other amenities (such as a number of doctors surgeries) nearby. There is a convergence point at Princes Street Surgery, offering passengers the opportunity to transfer to other routes (such as services 22 and 29 for onward journeys to Ninewells Hospital). Whitfield Consideration will be given to potential knock-on effects in Whitfield from any amendments made to services 32/33. Access to The Crescent will be of particular note; service 33 was extended to serve amenities when the facility was completed in 2014. Currently, passenger numbers in Lothian Crescent are just 2% of overall patronage on services 32/33. Likewise, we will begin planning ahead for the future provision of housing in the centre of Whitfield (which will bring in approximately 1650 additional residents by 2024). 5 Data gathered by the End Child Poverty campaign group: http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/poverty-in-your-area-2016/ 6 Populations: Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2016 data-zones: http://simd.scot/2016/#/simd2016/btttttt/14/-2.9354/56.4863/ 7 Dundee City Economic Profile (2016): https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dundee%20economic%20profile%20march%202016_final_0.pdf [4]
Consultation Timeline Monday 16 October Throughout Process - Consulation process begins - Public information displays available at community centres & libraries - Series of community meetings (more can be arranged and attended if residents so wish) Monday 30 October - Briefing session for local Councillors and Community Officers Trial Journeys Friday 22 December - AM Peak: Monday 4 December (departs Crichton Street 0730) - Daytime: Wednesday 6 December (departs Crichton Street 1200) - PM Peak: Friday 8 December (departs Crichton Street 1700) - Consultation process ends. Feedback recorded and analysed (potential to extend duration of consultation, if more feedback required) January 2018 - Consultation results published; final route review decision announced Spring 2018 - Service changes (if any) take effect Additional Information Public Information Displays Full information displays available at locations below. Alternatively, details are available at xploredundee.com Fintry Linlathen Maryfield Whitfield General Fintry Library, 16 Findcastle Street, DD4 9EW Finmill Centre, Findcastle Street, DD4 9EW Morrisons, 1 Afton Way, DD4 8BR The Hub Library, 171 Pitkerro Road, DD4 8ES Brooksbank Centre, Pitairlie Road, DD4 8DG Arthurstone Library, 5 Arthurstone Terrace, DD4 6RT The Crescent, Lothian Crescent, DD4 0NN Xplore Dundee Travel Centre, 92 Commercial Street, DD1 1DQ Pension Office, Jack Martin Way, DD4 9F Dundee Central Library, Wellgate Centre, DD1 1DB [5]
Contribute Feedback The purpose of this consultation process is to gather a full and accurate record of passengers views about the changes proposed for services 32/33. Given the significant scale of the potential re-routing, this is not a decision Xplore Dundee will take lightly we want to make sure, first of all, that local people have a chance to have their say. We will welcome comments and suggestions in a variety of means: Comment Cards Leaflets will be posted through every door on and around the corridor (i.e. the areas listed previously). These leaflets will outline a brief summary of the proposals and include an advisory poll for people to state whether they agree or disagree. They can be posted to us (44-48 East Dock Street, Dundee, DD1 3JS), deposited at our Travel Centre or brought along to public meetings. Public Meetings A series of events will be arranged at various times in each of the relevant areas. These meetings will be open for anybody to attend; detailed information displays of the proposals will be available for perusal before and after. Each meeting will be attended by a senior member of Xplore Dundee staff, and will be a chance for passengers to ask questions and make comments. Our staff are happy to attend any additional meetings which residents or community groups may wish to have. Email Comments can be submitted to marc.winsland@nationalexpress.com. Travel Centre Comment cards can be deposited or filled out at our Travel Centre in the City Centre (92 Commercial Street). Sales staff will be happy to answer questions and note comments. Community Centre Information Displays Comment cards can be deposited or filled out at community centres which host public information displays. We will collect these from each location at the end of the consultation process. Local Officials We will engage with Councillors and Community Officers with a briefing session at the beginning of the consultation, and will maintain an open channel with them throughout the process. Telephone Our reception team will note responses if you call 01381 201121. Throughout the consultation process, we will make it clear that the comment card advisory polls (and additional feedback through other means) will help us make our final decision. If there is anyone we do not hear back from, we will presume this to be because they have no specific objections and will therefore be satisfied with the proposed route review coming into effect. Next Steps The consultation process is scheduled to conclude on Friday 22 December (although this nominal deadline may be extended if further consultation is required). Once the process is completed, all comments will be recorded and analysed. Passenger suggestions, likewise, will be retained for further consideration. The Operations and Scheduling Teams, together with the Managing Director, will take all feedback into account before making the final decision. Results from the consultation will be published in full from January 2018 (unless consultation process is extended), along with an announcement of the decision on whether to implement the proposals. If the proposals are accepted, they will be scheduled to take effect in the spring of 2018 (allowing for a formal consultation period with Dundee City Council, and adhering to the registration timeline set out by the Traffic Commissioner). [6]
Service Delay Points Any bus service is a challenge to operate. Our Operations Team therefore work hard to ensure services are delivered despite various challenges beyond our control. Below is a summary of the most significant delay points affecting services 32/33. Included for reference, also, is a map of these services existing routes. Albert Street As an arterial route to and from the City Centre, Albert Street is inevitably busy at peak times. The road is only 500m long, but features five sets of traffic lights (two of which are pedestrian crossings; three of which are regulated junctions). However, as a densely populated district centre with shops and amenities, service will be unchanged in this area. Stobswell Junction This busy cross-roads, like Albert Street, is unavoidable as maintaining service to and from Albert Street is a crucial element of our network. Traffic flows here, whilst considerable, are generally regular. Clepington Road Controlled by lights, this junction is more regular (and therefore not such a severe hindrance to the service) as the traffic lights at both the Kingsway and Claverhouse junctions of the Forfar Road Crossing the Kingsway Our vehicle tracking data shows that services 15/17 operate up to five minutes quicker at peak times than current services 32/33. This is because traffic flows are much more regular and faster moving at Pitkerro Road circle than at the Forfar Road/Kingsway junction. Claverhouse Junction The traffic lights at the point where Claverhouse Road meets the Forfar Road currently delays services 32/33 by approximately three minutes. [7]
Route Review: Proposal 1 This version was drafted by the Commercial & Scheduling Department of Xplore Dundee. At the core of this proposal is the intention to divert services 32/33 away from the Forfar Road, whilst maintaining service provision in Whitfield. Various points of information and rationale are included as annotations below: [8]
Route Review: Proposal 2 This alternative proposal was suggested to us by members of the Whitfield Development Group. It proposes implementing a three-way service split within Fintry, as opposed to the current two-way split. This would result in a combined 7-minute frequency to Fintry Road as far as the crossroads, then a service approximately every 20/22 minutes in each direction. We have included this proposal in this consultation and we welcome additional suggestions from the public. [9]