Island Explorer: 2011 Service Confirmation

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A decision made 18 March 2011:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2011-0026
Decision Summary Title :	2011 Island Explorer Service Confirmation		Date of Decision Summary:	08 March 2011
Decision Summary Author:	Transport Logistics Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Confirmation of 2011 Island Explorer Bus Services		Date of Written Report:	08 March 2011
Written Report Author:	Transport Logistics Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Confirmation of 2011 Island Explorer Bus Services
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following: That the Island Explorer will run from 09 April through to 01 October 2011; That the Yellow Route will not operate in 2011; and The service alterations as summarised in the report.
Reason(s) for Decision: Although four comments from members of the public were received following advertising in the JEP, it is considered that the 2011 proposals as planned will provide an adequate leisure service for the public. The proposals represent a rationalisation of the leisure network with easier to remember timetables and simplified routing.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: Advise Connex of the decision. Prepare a media release advising of the Minister’s decision. Advise the members of the public who submitted comments of the Minister’s decision.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Bus Service: Island Explorer: 2011 Confirmation

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

CONFIRMATION OF 2011 ISLAND EXPLORER BUS SERVICES

Purpose of the Report

To seek the Minister‘s approval of the 2011 Island Explorer bus services.

Background

The Assistant Minister approved ‘in principle’ the proposals for the 2011 Island Explorer services on 11 February 2011 under MD-T-2011-0017. As this represents changes in an omnibus licence, under Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935, the Minister was obliged to consult on the proposals prior to a final decision being made.

Discussion

1. The proposals can be summarised as follows:

(a) The Island Explorer network to run daily from Saturday 09 April to Saturday 01 October inclusive;

(b) The 2010 network of four routes to be streamlined to three with Yellow Route dropped and partially replaced by service 26 commencing 11 March 2011;

(c) Blue Route to be extended beyond its previous terminus at Jersey Pearl, serving Greve de Lecq and L’Etacq via Route de Trodez (all served by Red Route during 2010);

(d) Red Route to be diverted after St Ouen Shops, now travelling via St Mary’s Village to La Mare Wine Estate;

(e) Green Route to operate via Faldouet and St Martin’s Church on the Gorey Pier to Durrell section in both directions, with the eastbound diversion via Rozel introduced for 2010 not repeated;

(f) Rationalised hours of operation and departure times, with a reduced overall number of journeys and an earlier finish on all three routes.

2. An advertisement was placed in the Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post on 17 February 2011. Those wishing to make representations on the proposals were advised to do so before midday on 04 March 2011. In addition, details were sent to all Constables, and Parish Halls were asked to display the proposals.

3. The department received comments from four people prior to the above deadline:

(a) A gentleman who made a range of comments, noting for example that the last inbound journey from the War Tunnels is now earlier in the day;

(b) A business owner who appreciated the longer season of operation to and from Bouley Bay during 2010 and requested that this be repeated;

(d) A gentleman who objected to the reduced overall level of service relative to 2010.

Comments

There are no additional costs associated with the 2011 proposals. However, provided that funding can be identified it would be sensible to explore opportunities for enhancing the summer schedule to areas that will receive fewer bus journeys as a result.

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 09 April 2011.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the following:

That the Island Explorer will run from Saturday 09 April 2011 through to Saturday 01 October 2011;
That the Yellow Route will not operate in 2011; and
The service alterations as summarised in the report.

Reason(s) for Recommendations

Although four comments from members of the public were received following advertising in the JEP, it is considered that the 2011 proposals as planned will provide an adequate leisure service for the public. The proposals represent a rationalisation of the leisure network with easier to remember timetables and simplified routing.

Actions Required

Advise Connex of the decision.
Prepare 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

None.

Written by:	Transport Logistics Manager

Approved by:	Acting Director Transport