SEStran Bus Passenger Information Strategy (BPIS) consultation completed
Date : 3rd December 2009
The SEStran board is to consider a report which details changes made to the organisation’s Bus Passenger Information Strategy (BPIS), and recommends moving towards implementation, following a consultation with stakeholders.
The BPIS has been amended to include input from partners and stakeholders throughout the SEStran region. Around 80 organisations were consulted including:
· 4 Government or Government sponsored bodies
· 16 Local Authorities, County Councils and Regional Transport Partnerships
· 42 Bus Operators (including coach operators and community transport operators) and bodies representing operators
· 18 Organisations representing (directly or indirectly) bus users, including those representing users with disabilities
Power to implement a BPIS lies with local councils, not the RTPs, so once the strategy is approved, the councils of East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Borders, Clackmannan and Fife, which have agreed to base their BPIS upon the SEStran strategy will be asked to implement it as soon as possible.
SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said:
“It is important to have a common minimum standard for bus passenger information provision throughout SE Scotland”.
“While not being excessively prescriptive, the SEStran BPIS will contribute towards ensuring that bus passengers throughout the region have access to a broadly similar quality and range of information”.
“The provision of information that is clear and easy to access will also encourage new users to try taking the bus instead of driving. This will in turn contribute towards reducing the number of cars on the regions roads and our carbon footprint”.
ENDS
SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Dougal,
SEStran Communications Officer
T: 0131-524-5161
M: 07889-010-291
E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk
Notes
Bus Passenger Information Strategy
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 A draft SEStran Bus Passenger Information Strategy (BPIS) was presented to the Board on 18 April 2008 and it was agreed that SEStran and the relevant Local Authorities (that were minded to adopt the SEStran strategy) would undertake a formal consultation process in accordance with legislation.
1.2 The purpose of this report is to advise of the outcome of the consultation exercise and to seek approval regarding the next step in the implementation of the strategy.
2. OUTCOME OF THE CONSULTATION
2.1. Around 80 organisations/bodies were consulted on the strategy. This could be broken down into the following categories:
· 4 Government or Government sponsored bodies
· 16 Local Authorities, County Councils and Regional Transport Partnerships
42 Bus Operators (including coach operators and community transport operators) and bodies representing operators
18 Organisations representing (directly or indirectly) bus users, including those representing users with disabilities
2.2. Ten responses were received. Many of the comments have been taken onboard and the amended document is attached as appendix A to this report with the changes outlined in green italics or shown as scored out.
2.3. All the consultees have been advised of the changes made and also of the reasoning behind the decision not to accept some of the suggestions proposed. The text of the relevant e-mail of 17 November is attached as appendix B to this report.
3. NEXT STEP
3.1. Following approval of the strategy, the Councils that have agreed to base their BPIS on the SEStran strategy (all but City of Edinburgh and Falkirk Councils) will be asked to implement the strategy as soon as practically possible.
3.2. It should be noted that the duty to produce and implement a BPIS and the power to enforce the implementation of such a strategy rest with the Local Authorities and not the Regional Transport Partnerships.
4. RECOMMENDATION
4.1. The Board is asked to
4.1.1. Approve the changes made to the Bus passenger information Strategy
4.1.2. Agree that the relevant Councils be asked to adopt this strategy for implementation as soon as practically possible
Trond Haugen
Advisor to SEStran
19 November 2009
Appendices
- SEStran Bus passenger information Strategy (amended)
- E-mail of 17 Dec to all consultees, summarising where suggested changes were taken on-board and an explanation to the decision where suggested changes were not included
- Atkins; Production of a SEStran Bus Passenger Information Strategy; April 2008
| Policy Implications | Delivery of SEStran strategy |
| Financial Implications | Some implication for SEStran and relevant Local Authorities |
| Race Equalities Implications | Some enhancement to service delivery |
| Gender Equalities Implications | No significant impact |
| Disability Equalities Implications | Will enhance service delivery |
