Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure), Paul Barnard (Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure), Philip Heseltine (Head of Transport), Debbie Newcombe (Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator),  Mike Watson and Richard Stevens were present for this item.  The purpose of the report to brief the committee on the impact Covid-19 has had on Plymouth’s public transport network, and what is required in terms of its recovery.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) reported that the industry was at a critical point following the lockdowns.  Over the last 12 months they have received support from Government to help them to a breakeven point and were unsure how long this subsidiary would continue.  There were questions around the viability of the service.  It was crucial that the bus services survive.  Community transport has been hard hit and these organisations have had no help at all over the 12 month period and revenue streams had dried up.  They have supported the bus industry with the payment of concessionary rates over the past 12 months and would continue to do so.

Richard Stevens (Plymouth City Bus) further reported that when the pandemic hit the effects on the company was considerable.  They did not underestimate the impact on the workforce and the measures in place to ensure buses were safe.  Financially this had been devastating with passenger levels dropping to 15% and then saw a strong recovery in welcoming people back to using the bus and last lockdown were at 22%.  To put this into perspective to break even they need 85% of passenger numbers. 

Mike Watson (First Bus) echoed what Richard Stevens had said.  They have been able to work in effective partnership with officers with their patronage was at 14.48%.  They were in really turbulent time in terms of planning. 

Questions from Members related to:

·         What could we do to proactively promote green recovery to avoid the shift to using cars?

·         Cleaning regime compared to standards to a food restaurant?   Would this be made public to give the confidence to the public to use services?

·         The ending of the support grant and that operators cannot be expected to continue running services.  A recommendation to express great concern on lack of information on the future funding and the crisis it would bring if not resolved soon?

·         Have companies given thought to new ticketing proposals?

·         Marketing plan to the BBC/ITV to promote a positive marketing campaign to promote bus services.

·         The numbers of people arriving and departing in the city and do we have some idea on how many were arriving to ensure that we have everything available to them?

The Brexit, Infrastructure and Legislative Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transport provision in Plymouth and the actions that have been taken to support local public transport operators and agreed:

1.         That the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and infrastructure writes to the Secretary of State for Transport to express concern regarding the lack of clarity on the plans for future funding and support for the Bus industry.

2.         That the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure works with local bus providers to support positive communications on a number of media channels, promoting the use of bus travel, the cleanliness and safety measures employed and seek to influence behaviours for travel within the city.

3.         To be addressed in quarter 4 to check progress.  Release of the national bus strategy which will form a huge part for coming out of lockdown for the country and needs to be published to ensure that our bus industry thrives.

4.         That the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure writes to the Secretary of State for Transport to express concern regarding the lack of clarity on the plans for future funding and support for the Bus industry. In particular the expedited release of the Government Bus Strategy.