Implications regarding proposed reductions in service levels in the bus service

1240/5(2016)

QUESTION TO BE ASKED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY 9th DECEMBER 2003,

BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER

Question

1. W  ould the President agree that the proposed reductions in service levels in the bus service will lead to a reduction in farerevenueand would headvisemembers –

(i ) w h at fare revenue is estimated for the next 12 months? and,

(i i ) w hat this level of fare revenue will mean for the level of subsidy payable to Connex during this

period?

2. W ill the President explain the rationale behind the decisiontoremove additional K' services from the shoulder' monthsin spring and autumn?
3. W ould the President agree that the proposalsfail to meetthecommitment contained in the Bus Strategy, approved by the States in2001,tosupport the Island's tourism industry, and that the latest proposals will force tourists touse alternative methodsoftransportthroughouttheyear, and, in particular, explain why there will be no bus service at all to the Living Legend,asoneofJersey's major tourist attractions? and,
4. W ould the President explain the Committee'sreasoning for supporting the proposed reduction from the current 20minute frequency to a half-hourly frequency ontheNo.15 service between the hoursof3.00 and 6.00 p.m., and, whethertheCommittee is satisfied that thereducedfrequency will beadequate?

Answer

1. T h e proposalssubmittedby the operator are currently out to consultation and will be considered by the Committee on17thDecember 2003, along with any representations that have been submittedon the proposals bytheendof the consultation period, on 11th December2003.

(i ) U ntil the Committee accepts or rejects the proposals and decides on the nature and level of services

to be provided and the resulting estimates of fare income can be made, I am not able to provide such estimates.

(i i) No subsidy is paid to Connex; the company receives a contractual payment for providing bus services

to an agreed specification of service. Any shortfall between the payment due under the contract and the amount of fare revenue collected is the principal amount that the States provides as subsidy for the benefit of users of the bus service.

2. N o decisionhasbeenmade.The proposals that have been published would provide a basic all year round network which can besupplementeddependingonthe season. Obviously, such supplements tothe year round timetable wouldbe subject to the licensing and consultation requirementsof the Motor Traffic Law. I would note that the proposals submittedhave incorporated certainsocalled"K" services into the all year round service. Theterm"K services" is no longer likely to beused.
3. A s explained in answertopart (b) of the question, theproposalsarefor the all year round basic service. The operator has indicated that further proposals will be submitted to meet the requirements of the seasonal fluctuations. My Statementon 18th November 2003, made this absolutely clear.
4. T h e Committee has not offered supportto the proposals. It is bound toconsiderthe proposals in due course, just as it isboundtoconsiderany representations on the proposalsbeforemaking its decision. Therefore, the question ofadequacy has not been considered.