TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES
CONFIRMATION OF 2009 ISLAND EXPLORER BUS SERVICES
Purpose of the Report
To seek the Minister’s approval to the 2009 Island Explorer bus services.
Background
The Minister approved ‘in principle’ the proposals for the 2009 Island Explorer services on 2 February 2008 (MD-T-2009-0007 refers). As this represents changes in an omnibus licence, under Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935, the Minister had to consult on the proposals prior to a final decision being made.
Discussion
- The proposals can be summarised as follows:
(a) Sunset Nurseries is now excluded from the Blue Route as the attraction has closed.
(b) The Yellow Route is amended to include aMaizin’ Adventure Park and St Ouen giving greater connectivity with the Red Route. The Route will also go directly past Catherine Best but no longer serve Bonne Nuit and St John’s which were not popular. Both are served by the scheduled services.
(c) All services to the Living Legend will now access far more directly via Mont de l’Ecole which reduces the length and time of the route which can be reallocated to make the services more efficient.
(d) The schedules have been slightly amended to ensure they leave at different times from Liberation Station, expanding the choices for passengers.
(e) Route 75, a Sunday circular route operated during the spring to serve St Lawrence, St Mary and St John, should not be operated in 2009.
(f) The Island Explorer will run daily from the start of the school Easter holidays (Saturday 04 April) to Sunday 11 October and then for the following three weekends, finally finishing on Sunday 01 November.
- An advertisement was placed in the Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post on 06 February 2008. In addition, all Connétables and Parish Halls were contacted with details to display.
- Further work has now been completed regarding the possibility of incorporating the Lavender Farm at St Brelade in the Island Explorer network. This has shown that this additional destination is both feasible and it is recommended that this be included for 2009.
- The department received comments from four people:
(a) A gentleman provided some useful comments mostly regarding the relative timing of services but, in general, was supportive of the proposals.
(b) Two ladies commented on the changes made to the Green Route in 2008 compared to 2007 and requested a return to the earlier routing. The Green route now travels in and back via St Clements Inner Road which services Samares manor and also was amended to incorporate La Hougue Bie. Both these changes are considered worthwhile and the implication of reverting back to 2007 routing would be detrimental to the overall service. Alternating between different routes is not supported as the travelling public get confused over the route and the destinations get an erratic and less frequent service.
(c) The Deputy of St John emailed as he was concerned at reductions in Routes 5 and 7. Although no changes to these services are being proposed, it is recommended that the Sunday circular service (Route 75) not be operated in 2009. The numbers using the service were low and, if winter or shoulder month Sunday services require some enhancements, it is far better to do this by considering the Island as a whole rather than this ad hoc proposal. A meeting will be arranged to discuss bus services with the Deputy but reinstating Route 75 is not recommended.
Comments
- The cost of the 2009 proposals including the Lavender Farm equate as follows:
| £ |
Savings due to change re Living Legend, Sunset Nurseries and Yellow Route | (24,000) |
Inclusion of Lavender Farm | 12,000 |
Additional weekends to finish on 01 November | 26,900 |
Additional Cost | £14,900 |
This is a small change from the costs stated in the ‘in principle’ decision (£8,523) as the savings had been slightly underestimated and Lavender Farm had not been assessed. This additional cost can be met from within the bus budget as there has been an ongoing saving against the contract from the cancellation of the autumn K services in 2008.
- Given the fact that there have only been four comments concerning these proposals, it is recommended that the Minister approve them without alteration for implementation on 04 April 2009.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the following:
1. That the Island Explorer will run from Saturday 04 April 2008 through to Sunday 11 October 2008 and the three weekends following finishing on Sunday 01 November;
2. That the Route 75 will not run during the spring period;
3. The inclusion of the Lavender Farm on the Blue Route; and
4. The minor changes to the Red, Blue and Yellow routes as detailed in this report.
Reasons for Recommendations
Although four comments from members of the public were received following advertising in the JEP, it is considered that the 2009 proposals as planned will provide the best leisure service for the public. The proposals also further integrate the leisure and scheduled services to achieve improved services for the travelling public and show an enhancement from 2008 with the inclusion of the Lavender Farm.
Actions Required
- Advise Connex of the decision.
- Draft a media release advising of the Minister’s decision.
- Advise the members of the public who submitted comments of the Minister’s decision.
Resource Implications
These proposals will cost an additional £14,900 which can be funded from savings within the current contract costs.
Written by: | Director of Transport |
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Approved by: | Chief Officer, TTS |