To agree changes to passenger transport services.

THAT:

a. the approach required to ensure delivery of the savings of £740k, in

accordance with the medium term financial strategy for the period 2017-18 to

2019-20 and service improvements for passenger transport, set out in this

report at paragraph 15, be agreed;

b. cabinet formally requests central government to review the English national

concessionary travel scheme to seek further financial support for

Herefordshire or allow greater local flexibility in how the scheme operates to

ensure resources are targeted at maintaining access for all; and

c. that dedicated support is made available to work with parish councils and

community groups to develop local solutions to transport problems in rural

areas of the county.

To ensure that the council manages its passenger transport services effectively and

within budgetary constraints whilst exploring and implementing opportunities to

improve services and maintain access within the county.

Public consultation indicated relatively lower priority for subsidising town bus services

and market day services. Whilst subsidy may be withdrawn for these services without

directly impacting the adopted ‘core bus network’ policy this is not recommended as it

is considered that the savings required from the medium term financial strategy can be

delivered through ongoing contracting efficiencies and management of existing

services in accordance with adopted policy, minimising the impacts on service users.

Cabinet may not wish to lobby government to consider changes to the English national

concessionary travel scheme (ENCTS). This is not recommended as a majority of the

respondents to the public consultation (most of whom identified themselves as bus

users) considered this appropriate in the context that it would enable resources to be

targeted on maintaining bus services.