Cheshire East budget review for bus services

[northwichcat]

Forecast cost pressure on local bus services is approximately £3.5m, which was partially mitigated in 2023/24 from Council Reserves. This is unsustainable and the Council cannot afford to fund local bus services at this level. This initiative seeks savings in the level of supported local bus services that must mitigate the impact of inflation and is a direct response to the loss of Central Government grant. These efficiency savings are considered to be achievable but there are expected to be negative impacts on residents and service-users due to a reduction in the extent of revenue-supported services in the Cheshire East bus network. Impact on service budget = +2.250m 24/25

FlexiLink Service Improvement Plan The proposal is to improve the hours / days of demand responsive transport operation in line with the Go-Too pilot and provide an equitable boroughwide service. Option 3 (of the HLBC) provides a significant increase in capacity (evening and Saturday service) which will maximise the use of vehicles and provide the greatest value for money with revenue to offset costs. Impact on service budget = +0.296 25/26

Bus Stop Advertising Revenue Generation As the existing joint contract held by Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council with Clear Channel is due to expire, the Council intends to reprocure these services. There is an opportunity for the Council to increase advertising revenue and enhance on-street facilities by integrating bus shelters into a wider Place advertising commission. Therefore, the preferred approach is Option 3, which extends current arrangements for a transitional period before the wider contract takes effect. . Impact on service budget = -0.050 25/26

So sounds like plans to cut regular bus services, with an expansion of flexilink services as part replacement. While £20,000 originally set aside for Royal Arcade, Crewe is now to be used to pay for ongoing costs for Crewe Bus Station.

There's no mention of local bus service budget for 25/26 yet, so that could be dependent on what level of government funding is received.

https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s115121/APPENDIX%20C%20-%20MTFS%202024-2028.pdf

 

[station_road]

Don't Cheshire East have done more BSIP funding for next year, plus a large amount due in 2025 from the recently announced Local Transport Fund?

 

[Starmill]

Don't Cheshire East have done more BSIP funding for next year, plus a large amount due in 2025 from the recently announced Local Transport Fund?

Is it "BSIP+"?

 

[northwichcat]

Don't Cheshire East have done more BSIP funding for next year, plus a large amount due in 2025 from the recently announced Local Transport Fund?

Funding to increase by £2.25m for next year but they're saying it needs to increase by £3.5m to stay at current level, due to increased costs.

It seems they have to consult on the Local Transport Fund and the first set of funding is for 25/26 and will be a lower level than what the government is saying they'll get for the subsequent 6 years. Maybe a cunning plan by the government so they can change it after the next election? That fund has to cover all transport though, not just buses.

 

[323235]

In the April Cheshire East Highway and Transport committee meeting they are kicking off the Bus Service Review 2024, which will report back in November with implementation to take place on April 1st 2025.

Cheshire East Bus Review 2024

 

[northwichcat]

In the April Cheshire East Highway and Transport committee meeting they are kicking off the Bus Service Review 2024, which will report back in November with implementation to take place on April 1st 2025.

Cheshire East Bus Review 2024

I notice

Maximise opportunities to extend the role of commercial services or
transfer supported services to the commercial network.

That suggests they'll look at options for contracts to be withdrawn if operators are willing to run the route on a reduced frequency basis without a subsidy.

 

[Mollman]

The big unknown at the moment is how much BSIP Phase 3 funding 'Network North' authorities will receive going forward. However the DfT are hoping that someone BSIP2 funded routes will become commercial in time.

 

[323235]

I notice



That suggests they'll look at options for contracts to be withdrawn if operators are willing to run the route on a reduced frequency basis without a subsidy.

That hasn't worked out very well in the past and in recent times wasn't the 19 part commercial but is now a fully funded service.

I do think it could be beneficial to see if services could be extended, so that they have more of a destination at each end in both directions.

So the likes of the 14 could operate to say Congleton (or Leek), 19 could operate to say Handforth / Handforth Dean / Wilmslow / Manchester Airport (via Poynton perhaps?).

I think the No 3 in Macclesfield would benefit from being part of a Go to type service , as would potentially the No 10.

An hourly / two hourly 392/393 to compliment the two hourly 391 would also help.

 

[sonic2009]

They need to sort out the lack of Sunday services within the borough.

 

[northwichcat]

They need to sort out the lack of Sunday services within the borough.

If they sort out some limited stop Sunday services they could be very popular given how unreliable and infrequent Sunday services are with Northern.

Maybe Northwich-Knutsford-Altrincham and Stoke-Congleton-Macclesfield-Stockport limited stop with an hourly frequency, then Altrincham-Wilmslow-Macclesfield, Macclesfield-Knutsford and Congleton-Crewe stopping services with at least a 2 hourly frequency. Then local town services on top of the above.

 

[markymark2000]

If they sort out some limited stop Sunday services they could be very popular given how unreliable and infrequent Sunday services are with Northern.

Let's not run before we can walk. I think even for the most pro bus councils, you are asking a lot.

So the likes of the 14 could operate to say Congleton (or Leek), 19 could operate to say Handforth / Handforth Dean / Wilmslow / Manchester Airport (via Poynton perhaps?).

The 14 you'd be sending miles out the way, not going to work.

19 could work but not sure where would be best as each destination has its own pros/cons but the issue is, ensuring there is the demand which I am less sure on.