This Council notes:
That a national scheme to bring bus fares down to a flat rate of £2, or £1 for a child, and day pass down to £5, or £2.50 for a child, was brought into operation on 1 January 2023 for a pilot period of three months.
The Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority adopted these subsidy schemes prior to the national pilot, and intend to continue beyond the three months.
In Greater Manchester, figures show a 10% increase in the number of bus journeys.
Residents in West Lancashire would not qualify for these reduced fares beyond 31 March 2023, despite many of these services beginning or ending within LCR or GMCA boundaries, eg 375/385, 300/310.
Many West Lancashire residents rely on local bus services to reach employment, training, skills, education, shopping, family, friends and social opportunities across both LCR and GMCA.
Lancashire County Council are the Highways and Transport Authority covering the West Lancashire area, and manage the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
This Council believes:
That the continuation of this reduced fare would actively support West Lancashire residents through the cost of living crisis, increase social mobility, open further opportunities for employment and skills, and support this council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
This Council resolves:
That the Chief Operating Officer write to the Chief Executive at Lancashire County Council calling for the consideration of using their Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) monies to facilitate or subsidise the reduced fares as they currently are, beyond the 31 March 2023, on any affected route.
That the Chief Operating Officer instruct West Lancashire Borough Council officers to work closely with Lancashire County Council officers, neighbouring city regions of Liverpool and Greater Manchester and bus operators to secure agreement.
Minutes:
With the agreement of the meeting, the following Altered Motion was moved and seconded:
"This Council notes:
That a national scheme to bring bus fares down to a flat rate of £2, or £1 for a child, and day pass down to £5, or £2.50 for a child, was brought into operation on 1 January 2023 for a pilot period of three months. This has been extended for a period of three months to 30 June 2023.
The Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority adopted these subsidy schemes prior to the national pilot, and intend to continue beyond the pilot period.
In Greater Manchester, figures show a 10% increase in the number of bus journeys.
Residents in West Lancashire would not qualify for these reduced fares beyond 30 June 2023, despite many of these services beginning or ending within LCR or GMCA boundaries, eg 375/385, 300/310.
Many West Lancashire residents rely on local bus services to reach employment, training, skills, education, shopping, medical appointments, family, friends and social opportunities across both LCR and GMCA.
Lancashire County Council are the Highways and Transport Authority covering the West Lancashire area, and manage the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
This Council believes:
That the continuation of this reduced fare would actively support West Lancashire residents through the cost of living crisis, increase social mobility, open further opportunities for employment and skills, and support this council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
This Council resolves:
That the Chief Operating Officer write to the Chief Executive at Lancashire County Council calling for the consideration of using their Transport budget monies to facilitate or subsidise the reduced fares as they currently are, beyond the 30 June 2023, on any affected route.
That the Chief Operating Officer instruct West Lancashire Borough Council officers to work closely with Lancashire County Council officers, neighbouring city regions of Liverpool and Greater Manchester and bus operators to secure agreement."
A vote was taken on the Altered Motion, which was CARRIED.
RESOLVED: A. That this Council notes:
· That a national scheme to bring bus fares down to a flat rate of £2, or £1 for a child, and day pass down to £5, or £2.50 for a child, was brought into operation on 1 January 2023 for a pilot period of three months. This has been extended for a period of three months to 30 June 2023.
· That Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority adopted these subsidy schemes prior to the national pilot, and intend to continue beyond the pilot period.
· That in Greater Manchester, figures show a 10% increase in the number of bus journeys.
· That residents in West Lancashire would not qualify for these reduced fares beyond 30 June 2023, despite many of these services beginning or ending within LCR or GMCA boundaries, eg 375/385, 300/310.
· That many West Lancashire residents rely on local bus services to reach employment, training, skills, education, shopping, medical appointments, family, friends and social opportunities across both LCR and GMCA.
· That Lancashire County Council are the Highways and Transport Authority covering the West Lancashire area, and manage the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
B. That this Council believes that the continuation of this reduced fare would actively support West Lancashire residents through the cost of living crisis, increase social mobility, open further opportunities for employment and skills, and support this council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
C. That the Chief Operating Officer write to the Chief Executive at Lancashire County Council calling for the consideration of using their Transport budget monies to facilitate or subsidise the reduced fares as they currently are, beyond the 30 June 2023, on any affected route.
D. That the Chief Operating Officer instruct West Lancashire Borough Council officers to work closely with Lancashire County Council officers, neighbouring city regions of Liverpool and Greater Manchester and bus operators to secure agreement.