Connex Winter 2006/7 Services.

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A decision made (13/10/2006) regarding Connex Winter 2006/7 Services.

Subject:	Connex Winter 2006/7 Services
Decision Reference:	MD-T-2006-0086	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		N/A
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	N/A	Report File ref:		I:Minister:2006:MinisterialDecisions MD 0086 Connex Winter 2006/7 Services
Written Report Title:	Connex Winter 2006/7 Services	Written report – Author:		Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport
Decision(s): The Minister is recommended to: approve the minor schedule adjustments to Routes 1, 3, 8, 2C and 1B costing £6,815; approve an experimental evening circular service on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays up until December 30th 2006 under Article 18(2)(b) of the Motor Traffic Jersey Law 1935 at a cost of £20,265; and agree that the trial Airport express be discontinued during the winter schedule.
Reason(s) for decision: The minor revisions and the trial evening service will enhance the current network at a relatively small additional cost which can be absorbed in the 2006 and 2007 budgets. The evening service will attract additional revenue which will help offset the cost. The Airport Express should be evaluated before a decision is made as to whether it should return and, if so, in what form.
Action required: Formally advise Connex of this decision.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 13 October 2006

Connex Winter 2006/7 Services.

TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES

CONNEX WINTER 2006/7 SERVICES

Purpose of the Report

This report seeks the Minister’s approval to a number of minor adjustments to the winter 2006/7 schedule for the scheduled bus network together with an experimental additional evening service which will provide a circular service around the Island between October and December 2006.

Background

With the onset of the winter 2006/7 schedule, the opportunity was taken to implement a number of relatively minor amendments which will enhance the services provided in certain areas. In addition, an experimental evening service is proposed which would provide 4 clockwise and counter clockwise services around the Island on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in October, November and December to coincide with the Tennerfest festival and the Fête de Noué. Although the Minister approved these proposals in August and they have been implemented for the winter timetables, they were not formally recorded in a Ministerial Decision.

Discussion

In order to provide enhanced services on particular routes, on Sundays or in the evenings, the following amendments are proposed:

		Cost
Route 1	Retain K Sunday service throughout the winter	3,710
Route 3	Extend to Rozel in evenings and one additional Sunday service	2,774
Route 8	Run this service to the War Tunnels throughout the winter	331
Route 2C	All trips via Plat Douet	No cost
Route 1B	All trips to extend to St Catherine eliminating the 20min wait at Gorey	No cost
	Total Cost	£6,815

An evening service consisting of two circular routes – one clockwise and the other counter clockwise – has been proposed which will run on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from the beginning of the winter schedule in October to December 30th 2006. This period will cover the Tennerfest festival and the Christmas Fête de Noué. The fare would be £1.50 before 7 pm and reflect the maximum fare of £1 after 7 pm. Children’s fares for the under 12s would remain at 50p and OAPs/HIE would travel free in line with other scheduled services. This service will cost £20.265 and will be run under Article 18(2)(b) of the Motor Traffic Act as a trial. Because of this, the service will not attract fuel duty rebate and the cost reflects this. All income received on this route will revert to the States, as with all other services, and contribute to offsetting the cost.

It is also recommended that the Airport Express, which has run during the summer period, should not be continued but the opportunity taken to evaluate the trial with a view to making recommendations for an improved service next year.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to:

approve the minor schedule adjustments to Routes 1, 3, 8, 2C and 1B costing £6,815;

approve an experimental evening circular service on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays up until December 30th 2006 under Article 18(2)(b) of the Motor Traffic Jersey Law 1935; and

agree that the trial Airport Express be discontinued during the winter schedule.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Minster is recommended to approve these proposals for the following reasons:

The minor revisions and the trial evening service will enhance the current network at a relatively small additional cost which can be absorbed in the 2006 and 2007 budgets.

The evening service will attract additional revenue which will help offset the cost.

The Airport Express should be evaluated before a decision is made as to whether it should return and, if so, in what form.

Actions Required

Formally advise Connex of the decisions taken.

Written by:	Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport

Approved by:	John Richardson – Chief Officer

File Ref: 35/9

12th October 2006