To receive and consider the report of the Director (Policy and Governance).

Vicky Willett, Service Lead (Transformation and Partnerships) presented the report of the Director (Policy and Governance) which updated Members on the current position of the subsidised bus routes across the borough. Following an Executive Member Decision in July to continue subsidising bus routes in the borough, it was recommended that an update on the current subsidised services be brought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review and consider the current position and the provision for residents in rural districts.

In July 2019, the daytime 109A daytime service was withdrawn by Stagecoach due to a lack of commercial viability; this had implications for the services funded by Chorley Council (357, 109B and 4A). Previously, bus subsidies had been reactive and cost a significant amount, but in this instance the Council worked with LCC to come up with a more viable solution that would incorporate the majority of the provision within the subsidised routes. The reconfigured services would deliver a replacement for the 109A within existing resources. The services created were the 118/119 and the 24A. As a result of these changes there has been a reduction of £27,000 in funding for subsidised bus services compared to 2018/19.

Chorley Council provided a contribution towards the delivery of the 118/119 and 24A services. The contribution was split with LCC; with the Council providing 25% funding for the day services (LCC 75%) and 75% funding (LCC 25%) for the evening services. The approximate cost to the Council per annum was £65,731. This was agreed through an Executive Member decision and funding was committed towards these services for a 12-month period from 1 September 2019 – 31 August 2020.

The report also outlined the approximate current bus provision within the rural areas into the town centre and surrounding areas. Findings indicated that there were bus services reaching most areas of the borough, however the Council were looking for alternatives and ways to better use funding in rural areas such as the dial-a-ride service.,

The Chair queried whether residents in Astley Village were happy with the new replacement service. It was understood that there had been initial issues, but these had been addressed. Following questions regarding the amount per passenger that was being subsidised by the council, Members were advised that calculating cost per passenger was complex due to the way fare data was recorded and presented by LCC with costs varying depending on the location and frequency of the service. Generally buses are operating significantly under capacity.

Members of the Committee agreed that work needed to be done to get more people on the buses and discussed how a reduction in costs could achieve this. It was also suggested that some of the 125 services be rerouted to accommodate more residents in Adlington. It was subsequently agreed that Stagecoach be invited to a future meeting to discuss these issues and the potential solutions.

Decision: That the report be noted.