Agenda item

(1)      The challenges faced by the bus market and the impact on/potential of Demand Responsive Transport in this context was recognised.

(2)      The likely opportunities of merging (‘co-mingling’) of West Midlands On-Demand and Ring & Ride services in Coventry was recognised.

(3)      The proposal to conduct a co-mingling trial in Coventry from January 2023 was approved.

(4)      Given that much longer journeys would be possible, the proposed modification from a flat-fare to a distance-based charging regime for West Midlands On-Demand and Ring & Ride in Coventry was approved.

(5)      For the purposes of the trial, the setting of fares was delegated to the Director of Integrated Transport Services, on the understanding these would take into account affordability for passengers and the cost of providing the service and on the basis that single journeys up to 10 miles woud be capped at £2 for those eligible for concessions on account of age or disability.

The committee considered a report from the Director of Integrated Transport Services providing an overview of current operations of West Midlands On Demand and Ring & Ride and on a proposed merging the operations of these services on a trial basis in Coventry from January 2023.

Demand responsive transport, as being trialled through West Midlands on Demand in Coventry, was intended to address some of the deficiencies in the fixed route bus network, making a wider range of destinations more easily accessible, providing an attractive, affordable service for those who may be adverse or unable to use the buses. The region’s long-established Ring & Ride service also addressed accessibility challenges, but was targeted at those who were unable to access public transport primarily due to physical or mental disability or other mobility impairments.

Both services were subject to different rules and operating criteria and it was considered that by merging the services together (‘co-mingling’), the customer service could be improved, the current customer base expanded and a more efficient and economical fleet operation enabled.

Councillor Narinder Kaur Kooner reported that she was aware that many former customers of Ring & Ride had stopped using the service due them thinking it had been terminated. It was vital that the service continued to be promoted, including amongst groups that had not previously used it. The Head of Network Transformation indicated that work was being undertaken to see if improvements could be made to the way in which the service could be booked, but these improvements would always ensure that a telephone booking service was provided. Councillor Linda Bigham sought assurances that the payment system being used in the trial was robust enough to handle different payment methods. The Head of Network Transformation confirmed that cash and card payments would be accepted, and he would check to see how long personal payment information was retained by the software.

The Chair enquired as to when a report on the outcome of the trial could be expected. The Head of Network Transformation indicated that he expected an initial evaluation report to be prepared in Spring 2023, with a final report expected in July 2023.

Resolved:

(1)      The challenges faced by the bus market and the impact on/potential of Demand Responsive Transport in this context be recognised.

(2)      The likely opportunities of merging (‘co-mingling’) of West Midlands On-Demand and Ring & Ride services in Coventry be recognised.

(3)      The proposal to conduct a co-mingling trial in Coventry from January 2023 be approved.

(4)      Given that much longer journeys would be possible, the proposed modification from a flat-fare to a distance-based charging regime for West Midlands On-Demand and Ring & Ride in Coventry be approved.

(5)      For the purposes of the trial, the setting of fares be delegated to the Director of Integrated Transport Services, on the understanding these would take into account affordability for passengers and the cost of providing the service and on the basis that single journeys up to 10 miles would be capped at £2 for those eligible for concessions on account of age or disability.