Minutes:
Nick Roberts and Sam Tysoe from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority attended the meeting to answer questions in relation to public transport services across Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor.
It was explained that GMPTE were aware of a number of issues in relation to various services across the three wards. GMPTE were only able to advise on service provision that they subsidised but they were able to speak with operators about issues that were raised. The majority of services across Greater Manchester were run commercially in a for profit capacity. These services were not within the remit of GMPTE.
· Mr Booth reported that the 481 service had been removed, the 472 and 474 services had been changed to 15 minute intervals, the 477 had been renamed the 478 and had been significantly reduced and the 483 had been removed.
Sam Tysoe explained that where a peak journey carries so few passengers that it can’t be justified the operators will consider reducing or removing a service. GMPTE will then decide whether to put the service out to tender and subsidise the journey. Sometimes this isn’t viable.
· Councillor Daly explained that he had been in discussion with Rosso who had operated the 481 and he had been advised that GMPTE had received the statutory 56 days notice with regards to the service being withdrawn. No competitive tender had been invited and he asked why this was.
It was explained that where an alternative route was available as there was in this case with the 480, the need could not be justified and therefore could not be subsidised.
· Mrs Taylor from Greenmount stated that she had attended the previous meeting of the Township Forum where she had suggested the possibility of extending the 468 and 469 services to travel into Greenmount. She asked whether this extension could be subsidised and run as for a short time as a trial.
Sam Tysoe stated that he would not be able to interfere with how the operators run their services but it may be possible to put this suggestion to both of the operators and see if it would be a possibility.
· A local resident referred to the fact that the 481 travelling along Walshaw Road had been withdrawn but the 468 and 469 services travelling along Tottington Road were so frequent that there were often 3 buses at the terminus in Tottington at once. Would it be possible for some of these services to be diverted through Walshaw.
Nick Roberts stated that this suggestion would be forwarded to the operators.
· A resident of Summerseat reported that the last 477 service to Bury left Summerseat at 1.37pm and the last return Journey left Bury at 2pm. It was felt that this was unacceptable as it meant that many passengers had no way of getting home from work or school in the early evenings.
Nick Roberts stated that he would ask if the service could be extended to further in the afternoon.
· A Walshaw resident explained that there were buses available at school times but they weren’t accessible to most non school travellers as they were full of school children.
It was explained that operators had to consider patronage and provide their services when required. These high patronage journeys were sometimes the difference between profit and loss.
· A resident explained that the 472 and 474 service used to run every 15 minutes during the day and into the evening. The evening service had been reduced to an hourly service which he felt wasn’t sufficient.
It was explained that this route had been subsidised previously but was now run commercially. It was stated though that GMPTE would not subsidise a service which run more frequently than an hour.
Nick Roberts explained to those present what the Local Link service was and how it was operated. It was explained that it was a demand responsive service where the passenger would phone the service to book a journey or request it on line. The service was available to everybody and was priced similarly to regular bus journeys. It was explained that this service could bridge transport gaps. It was explained that the service was not timetabled and was not immediate upon request like a taxi. It could also have a number of drop offs and pick ups along the journey.
Nick and Sam were thanked for their attendance and invited to attend the next meeting of the forum which was scheduled for 10 January 2017 to give an update.