A representative from Transport for Greater Manchester will be in attendance.
Minutes:
The meeting was attended by representatives from Transport for Greater Manchester (Sam Tysoe and James Lewis) and First Buses (Paul Turner).
Sam Tysoe acknowledged the receipt of a petition regarding the decision to no longer include Pilsworth on the 154 route. The meeting was informed that a postcode check had been made on the location of the petition contributors.
It was reported that the 154 service could not achieve the set timetable after analysing strong data which indicated that 68% of bus services were not operating on time. It was decided that 8 Minutes were needed to ensure the timetable could be achieved and a section of the service was cut. The analysis of bus service users is detailed taking into account various factors. There were alternatives for residents of the Parr Lane area involving the 92 or 93 services.
The meeting was informed that the cost of maintaining the 154 service would be an additional £85,000.
The Chair invited questions.
· If 68% of the services are not running on time then surely the timetable is wrong and needs reviewing.
- This was a sample view of bus services taken over a 2 month period.
· Could additional time be added to the route to ensure that all stops are served and arrive at the time specified by TfGM rather than late as at the moment?
- There are limitations on the services due to budgets reductions and adding time to the timetable is not possible. Two buses must cover the timetable every hour. We are trying to provide the bestservice possible with the resources available.
· Pennine Care Trust is locating more services to NMGH. The 154 goes to NMGH. As a public service it is important that these services are accessible for Bury residents on one bus journey. Service planners need to look at the bigger picture.
· Residents of Prestwich are unhappy with the loss of the 154 service and have lost direct access to Pilsworth. There is a concern that people travelling to Pilsworth are required to change services in an area without a bus station which is set out in the open. Members of the public are left feeling vulnerable.
· Would it be possible for the 92 service to continue on the 152 service route and use the motorway?
- will look at this.
· On a Sunday the 98 service is outsourced to another operator from 5pm to 10pm. Service users who have bought a First Travel Saver ticket are being charged again by the other bus company which will not accept the pass. This could result in some people being left in vulnerable position at if they have no money to pay the fare. Is this correct?
- This is a problem across Greater Manchester. Subsidised routes are tendered on non-profit routes. The subsidised operator is not obliged to accept saver tickets or cards issued by the day time operator. If the service user has a TfGM saver ticket it is acceptable across Greater Manchester, although the cost is higher than that charged by First.
· Is it possible to reroute the 93 to Hollins Brow to Pilsworth and take out Parkhills Road to Market Street, as it was before, to miss out congestion on market days. This would also allow residents of Sunnybank to access Blackford House Medical Centre.
- This suggestion was raised at the last meeting. The area suggested to be included is substantially longer than the area to be taken out and would increase the time to complete the route.
· A petition of 450 signatures has been submitted for the reinstatement of the 154 service to help workers and shoppers get better access to the Pilsworth ASDA store. Workers and shoppers are in some cases required to get 2 buses to get to work. People want the 154 service back.
The Chair thanked the TfGM Officers and representative of First for their attendance and requested them to consider the comments, questions and suggestions made to help improve bus services in Whitefield, Unsworth and Prestwich. The Chair also requested their attendance at a future meeting.