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WQ.430/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2019
Question
Will the Minister advise –
- when the contract for the Island's bus service is due for renewal;
- what process will be followed to ensure the contract provides the best service for the Island with a sustainable transport policy at the centre of the outcomes; and
- what steps, if any, he will take personally to ensure that the tendering process is fully transparent?
Answer
- The 2013 Bus Operating Contract, originally with a base duration of seven years expiring on 31 December 2019 with up to three single-year extensions available for meeting performance targets, was subsequently varied by agreement between the parties with the base duration now being of nine years and three months, in order to better align with the expected lifetimes of the vehicles and other assets. At the same time a single-year extension was granted as it was agreed that a performance target for 2015 had been achieved. Up to three further single-year extensions are available and therefore the earliest contract expiry date is currently 30 April 2023, if all of the extensions are granted the expiry date will be 30 April 2026.
- The process followed for the 2013 Bus Operating Contract ensured that the best service for the Island with a sustainable transport policy at the centre of the outcomes was provided. Any future bus operating contract will be a result of following the same process and principles.
- In the event that a full tendering process is put in place for the continued procurement of the bus service, I will ensure that the model adopted is the same as that devised for the 2013 Bus Operating Contract, which I am sure the Deputy will agree has performed extremely well and has consistently generated excellent growth in passenger numbers throughout its duration. In conjunction with the sustainable transport strategy currently being developed, I am also open to other ways of delivering the public transport network, including a renegotiation of the existing arrangements in order to secure any desired enhancements in the service levels provided and also to ensure renewed investment in the vehicle fleet.