Agenda and minutes

(i)               The Chair reported that she would like to express her condolences and deepest sympathy to the Mayor of the West Midlands on behalf  of the committee following the recent death of his mother.

(ii)              The Chair reported that the pre-9.30am £1 fare for concessionary passholders would be waivered for those travelling to a Covid-19 vaccination appointment on presentation of the appointment letter or text message to the bus driver.

(iii)            The Chair reported that she would be attending a meeting of the WMCA’s Transport Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 22 February and would provide feedback to this committee in due course.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2021 were agreed as a true record.

The action tracker was noted.

The Chair referred to a letter she had circulated to the committee on 5 February 2021.

The letter set out the response from the Secretary of State for Transport to Pat McFadden MP on the issue of railcard refunds that had been raised on behalf of one of his constituents, Alderman Judith Rowley. The letter indicated railcards would remain non-refundable and would not be extended.

Resolved: That the letter be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Network Development Manager that reported on matters related to the governance, operation, performance and delivery of the West Midlands Bus Alliance.

The Chair and Lead Member for Putting Passengers First introduced the report and reported on the increasingly important role for the Bus Alliance since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Network Development Manager, Edmund Salt, highlighted the critical role undertaken by the Bus Alliance in coordinating and managing the impacts of Covid-19 on the bus network by working with bus operators, CPT and UTG to introduce a number of measures in response to the pandemic (outlined in paragraphs 6-14 of the report).

In relation to comment from Councillor Lal regarding Swift Go and the need to accelerate best value capping with bus operators as more people work part-time/ travel less because of Covid-19, the Director of Integrated Network Services, Pete Bond, reported that customer research was being undertaken by the Human Intelligence Team that would look to develop products in accordance with customer needs. The Network Development Manager undertook to feedback Councillor Lal’s comment to the Head of Swift.

Resolved:

1.     That the contents of the report, the current status of the Bus Alliance and its work programme for 2021 be noted and

2.     That the report be submitted to the West Midlands Combined Authority Board for information be noted. 

The committee considered a report of the Head of Cycling and Walking that reported on matters relating to the performance, operation and delivery of TfWM initiatives within the West Midlands Cycling Charter Action Plan.

The Lead Member for Safe and Sustainable Travel, Councillor Holl-Allen, introduced the report.

The Cycling and Walking Development Officer, Hannah Dayan, presented key highlights from the report. This included details of the Starley Network, Transforming Cities Fund, the Emergency Active Fund, Cycling for Everyone, Active Travel Partnerships and School Streets.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Locke regarding a school in her ward that has registered an interest in taking part in School Streets and whether they would be able to participate in the scheme, Hannah Dayan undertook to look into the matter and provide feedback to Councillor Locke.

Resolved: That progress to date of the TfWM led initiatives of the West Midlands Cycling Charter Action Plan be noted.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Park and Ride that provided an update on park and ride matters within the West Midlands Combined Authority area and the impacts of Covid-19 on car park operations and development.

Councillor Lawrence, Lead Member for Rail and Metro introduced the report.

The Head of Park and Ride, Babs Spooner highlighted key areas within the report. This included the impact of the pandemic on car park occupancy, Longbridge Park and Ride delivery and park and ride development.

Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.

Further to the presentation given to the committee on 14 September 2020, the Innovation Integration Lead, Mark Collins provided an update on the e-scooter trials.

The presentation provided an overview of the trials to date, the current status, key statistics for the three operating areas of the trial and the latest developments included the proposed expansion of the Birmingham trial and details of the University of Warwick’s trial.

Resolved: That the presentation be noted.

The committee received a presentation from TfWM’s Strategic and Engagement Manager, Andrew Purchase on TfWM’s post Covid Recovery Programme Strategy.

The presentation included the impacts of Covid-19 on the transport network, new scenarios, the long-term recovery programme strategy goals and the 6 key areas of the recovery programme.

The Strategic and Engagement Manager reported that the challenges of the pandemic also brought with it opportunities to change people’s travel behaviour and outlined the 2021 recovery campaign and next steps.

The Chair thanked Andrew Purchase for his informative presentation and invited members to contact Andrew with any feedback.

Resolved: That the presentation be noted.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Chair advised the committee that they would receive a briefing note on the subject following the meeting.

To consider any notices of motion by the deadline of 12 noon on 4 February 2021.

None submitted.

To consider any questions submitted by the deadline of 12 noon on 4 February for written questions and 12 noon on 5 February 2021 for oral questions.

None submitted.

The committee considered a report on agenda items to be submitted to a future meeting.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

That in accordance with Section 100A4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved: That in accordance with Section 100A4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The transport reports that would be considered by the WMCA Board at its meeting on 12 February 2021 were submitted for information.

Resolved: That the reports be noted.