Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received and noted from Councillor Naeem Hassan (Manchester) and Councillor Kevin Peel (Bury).

Apologies were also received from Ian Humphreys (First Bus) who was substituted at the meeting by Paul Townley.

That Members note the update on industrial action at the First Bus Oldham depot.

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 at the start of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the approval of the minutes of the meeting held 19 November 2021.

That the minutes of the GM Transport Bus Services Sub Committee meeting held 19 November 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a verbal update from all bus operators.

1. That the verbal updates presented by bus operators be noted, particularly in relation to the ongoing uncertainties around the Bus Recovery Grant post 4th April 2022, the reduction of concessionary reimbursements, and continuing issues with anti-social damage to buses.

2. That it be noted that services were now offering 95-100% of pre-covid mileage, but post-Christmas following the introduction of Plan B had only been recording 70% patronage levels compared to pre-covid.

3. That it be noted that COVID-19 related sickness absences were now beginning to drop across bus operators, but still continued to cause higher levels of sickness absence than pre-COVID overall.

4. That it be noted that whilst bus driver applications were at healthy levels, the ability to train and put them on the roads remained hampered by DVLA delays.

5. That it be noted that TfGM were in ongoing discussions with the Department of Transport with a view to establishing to position on grant funding post 4^th April 2022 for bus services.

6. That arrangements be made for Cllr Mark Aldred (Chair of the Transport Committee) to make a statement at the next full Committee meeting expressing the concerns raised around the need for further support funding for both the bus and Metrolink networks.

7. That the statement referred to in decision 6 (above), be shared as a draft with all Transport Committee members ahead of the meeting to ensure a cross party consensus.

8. That all bus operators be asked to provide the Chair with an update on their current position in working towards meeting Clean Air Zone requirements ahead of the next meeting of the Transport Committee, which the Chair will then circulate to all Committee Members.

9. That TfGM be asked to provide an update in advance of the next Transport Committee meeting on the current status of the Bus retrofit programme across Greater Manchester.

10. That it be noted that bus operators welcomed the level of co-operation seen between themselves and TfGM on the necessary amendments to bus schedules during the COVID pandemic.

11. That Rotala/Diamond bus representatives be asked to provide an update on the levels of bus vandalism currently taking place across their fleet.

12. That any updates bus operators were able to provide on their approach to the use of face coverings on buses following the ceasing of Plan B requirements be forwarded to the Chair.

Report of Stephen Rhodes, Customer Director & Interim Head of Bus Services, TfGM

1. That the changes to the commercial network set out in Annex A be noted by Members.

2. That the proposals that no action is taken in respect of changes or de-registered commercial services set out in Annex A be agreed by Members.

3. That the action taken in respect of the service change set out in Annex B be noted by Members.

4. That the proposed changes to general subsidised services set out in Annex C be agreed by Members.

5. That the update on all work undertaken to address the actions arising from the previous meeting be noted by Members.

6. That Members welcomed the addition of maps to the report.

7. That changes to the 280 service at Dunham Massey be welcomed, despite the ongoing concerns of a few residents.

8. That concerns around the 84A service punctuality due to ongoing works on Barlow Moor Road be noted.

9. That it be noted that ongoing conversations were taking place at TfGM with regards to the integration of new cycle lanes into the road network, particularly the works currently taking place on Barlow Moor Road.

10. That TfGM officers be asked to undertake a piece of work analysing where split services have resulted in an impact cost due to the lack of integrated ticketing between services.

To review the Work Programme for the GM Transport Committee and its Subcommittees.

That the proposed work programme for the GM Transport Committee and its Sub Committees be noted.

To note that the GMTC Bus Services Sub Committee will next meet on the 18 March 2022.

That it be noted that the next meeting of the Bus Services Sub Committee would be held on 18^th March 2022.

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 Stephen Rhodes, Customer Director & Interim Head of Bus Services, TfGM

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