TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
CONFIRMATION OF 2012 SUMMER BUS SERVICES
Purpose of the Report
To seek the Minister‘s approval of a revised bus timetable from 27 May 2012.
Background
The Minister approved ‘in principle’ the proposals for the revised bus timetable on 24 April 2012 (MD-T-2012-0037 refers). As this represents changes to omnibus licences, 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 are summarised as follows:
- Service 1, a better spaced timetable prior to 0900 including an additional Monday-Friday journey from Gorey Pier to St Helier at 0625.
- Service 1A, continuation of morning and evening peak journeys. Journeys prior to 1600 terminate at Grouville Station. Compared to winter 2011-12, extra departures from St Helier at 1000, 1200 and 1400.
- Service 2, replaces the former 1B service operated in summer 2011. Retains the morning / evening peak journeys introduced for winter 2011-12 with an additional journey at 1900 to Gorey Pier.
- Service 3, journeys at 0725 and 1725 observe the same route and departure time respectively as those in winter 2011-12, rather than those applying to the 0725 and 1740 journeys in summer 2011.
- Service 4, schoolday-only journeys extending to Haute Vallee continue.
- Service 8, additional commuter journeys from / to Tesson at 0735 and 1710 are continued. Extension to the Jersey War Tunnels on non-peak journeys to reinstate some of the lost frequency caused by the dropping of service 8A.
- Service 8A (St Helier – Living Legend), not operating in summer 2012. Replaced by alterations to service 8 and extra May - September journeys on Red Explorer.
- Service 12/12A, revised routing introduced in 2011 to continue providing Portelet and St Brelade’s Bay with a much improved frequency. Revised departure times to create a more consistent and better co-ordinated timetable to the south-west areas of Jersey.
- Service 18, two extra morning peak inbound journeys from Marina Avenue / Le Marais.
- Service 22 (St Helier – Rue des Pres Trading Estate), replaced by peak period journeys on services 1A and 2.
- Service 26, this ‘experimental’ service (three times a day in each direction) is withdrawn. The Living Legend – Durrell section is covered by new service 29 and the St Helier – Living Legend section by additional Red Explorer short journeys previously agreed.
- Service 27, an additional schoolday journey at 1535 continues. A Friday and Saturday departure at 2300 is included in the summer 2012 schedule.
- Service 29, previously intended to operate as ‘Yellow Explorer’, this will now operate as a conventional summer-only service and forms a partial replacement for service 26.
2. An advertisement was prepared for publication in the Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post on 26 April 2011. A press release was issued the following day. In addition, all Constables and Parish Halls were contacted with details to display. A deadline of Friday 11 May for comments to be received was stated.
3. As of Thursday 12 May the department had received comments from three people:
(a) A gentleman who made a number of observations and suggestions, highlighting some inconsistencies in the proposed timetable published on the States website;
(b) A gentleman who supported the later finish on service 2 but requested consideration of additional evening services;
(c) A gentleman who felt that journey times between St Ouen’s Bay and St Helier were too long and that the summer season started too late in the year .
Comments
Few comments have been received concerning these proposals. None were sufficiently adverse in nature to justify rejection. However, the following points should be noted:
- Complaints have been received for many years that the summer timetable, 18 weeks in length from late May to late September, is too brief and every encouragement should be given to the operator of the next bus contract from January 2013 to reduce the period during which the lower winter level of service is in effect.
- The removal of service 26 is in part compensated for by the introduction of service 29 this summer, but as it is not intended to operate this service during the winter timetable from 30 September 2012, the section of Grande Route de St Laurent north of Carrefour Selous will cease to be served by public buses. Although passenger usage on this part of the route is reported to be very low, consideration will be given to providing some form of replacement service when determining the winter timetable.
Connex have been forwarded copies of all comments received by the department for their information, and where relevant, action.
The changes require no additional expenditure and it is recommended that the Minister approve the proposals without alteration for implementation on 27 May 2012.
Recommendation:-
The Minister is recommended to approve the following:
- The summer 2012 bus timetable will run from Sunday 27 May 2012 through to an end date of Saturday 29 September 2012; and
- The changes to bus routes as detailed in this report.
Reason(s) for Recommendations
Although three comments from members of the public were received following advertising in the JEP and at Parish Halls, it is considered that the proposals as planned will provide a sensible overall improvement to services for the public.
Actions Required
- Advise Connex of the decision.
- Advise the members of the public who submitted comments of the Minister’s decision.
Resource Implications
These proposals represent no additional cost to the buses budget.
Written by: | Transport Logistics Manager |
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Approved by: | Director of Transport |
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