Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received and noted from Cllr Sean Fielding, Oldham.

1.      That it be noted that there would be an additional meeting of the GM Transport Committee on Wednesday 24 March 2021.

2.      That the Committee express its best wishes to Alison Chew, Head of Bus at TfGM as she begins her maternity leave.

To receive declarations of interest in any item for discussion at the meeting. A blank form for declaring interests has been circulated with the agenda; please ensure that this is returned to the Governance & Scrutiny Officer 48 hours before the meeting.

There were no declarations received in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the approval of the minutes of the meeting held 15 January 2021.

That the minutes of the meeting held 15 January 2021 be approved.

To receive a verbal update from Operators in attendance.

1.      That the updates from bus operators be noted by the Committee.

2.      That the request for further signage regarding services at Bury Interchange be noted by Go North West.

Report of Alison Chew, Interim Head of Bus Services, TfGM.

1. That the report be noted.

2. That it be noted that the procurement of additional fleet vehicles for Ring and Ride has been put on hold whilst further modelling is underway as to how the service may look in the future.

3. That a further report on the future of Ring and Ride be brought to a meeting of the GM Transport Committee in early 2021, however comments and suggestions from Members would be welcomed in advance of this.

4. That the Chair would raise the points made by Members at a meeting of the Ring and Ride Committee later today.

Report of Alison Chew, Interim Head of Bus, TfGM.

1. That the changes to the commercial network and the proposals not to replace the de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex A be noted;

2. That it be noted that in addition to the report, there had been a late notification received in relation to service 130 which was a commercial service run by D&G Buses which would now be extended Monday-Friday daytime to the Airport and Wythenshawe Hospital.

3. That it be agreed that no action is taken in respect of changes or de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex A;

4. That it be noted that there is no proposed action taken in respect of changes or de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex B; and

5. That it be noted that the Bolton Metroshuttle service had been withdrawn following annual reviews of patronage levels.

6. That TfGM would continue to review any impact of withdrawing the Local Link Service to Logistics North.

7. That it be noted that there was a further commercial adjustment anticipated in the Bolton area, which would not result in any service reduction.  However, this would be consulted on with local members.

8. That the proposed changes to general subsidised services set out in Annex C be approved.

9. That a wider review of all demand responsive services be undertaken by TfGM in light of the recovery phases for the whole public transport network and reported back to the GM Transport Committee in due course.

10. That the GM Transport Committee receive a report as to the planned communications campaign to encourage people back onto the public transport network at a timely opportunity.

11. That the anticipated imminent publication of the Bus Strategy be noted and an update on future funding for the bus network be brought to a future meeting of the GM Transport Committee.

12. That Member’s concerns regarding the lack of social distancing practice of school and college pupils at Bury Interchange be passed to TravelSafe officers.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of Alison Chew, Interim Head of Bus, TfGM.

That the financial implications of forthcoming changes to the bus network be noted by the Committee.