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A decision made (03.05.07) to approve the 2007 Connex bus service revisions.

Subject:	Connex – 2007 Bus Service Revisions: Results of Consultation
Decision Reference:	MD-T-2007-0042		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:	I:Minister:2007:Ministerial Decisions:MD 00 2007 Bus Service Revisions
Written report – Title	2007 Bus Service Revisions: Results of Consultation
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport
Decision(s): The Minister approved the following bus service schedule changes: · The Service 8B will be cancelled for the Summer schedules. · The ‘K’ Services will not be run in the autumn 2007.
Reason(s) for decision: These services will be adequately covered by the Explorer service which will run through until 3 November 2007. Only one objection was received from a member of the public which was based on an inaccurate assumption concerning who receives the fare income from the Explorer service.
Action required: Advise Connex of this decision. Prepare a media release advising the public of this decision.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision:

Connex - 2007 bus service revisions

TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES

2007 BUS SERVICE REVISIONS – RESULTS OF CONSULTATION

Purpose of the Report

To seek the Minister’s approval for the revisions to the 2007 summer and autumn bus schedules following notice and consultation with the public under Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935.

Background

On 16th February 2007, the Minister approved the proposed 2007 summer leisure network together with a simplification of the fare structure (MD-T-2007-0018 refers). Incorporated within these proposals were two changes which would require an amendment to the current licences issued to Connex. These were:

To stop running the scheduled service Route 8B (which covers The Living Legend, Jersey Zoo, Gorey Pier and Jersey Potteries) for the Summer schedules; and

to not run the ‘K’ services in the autumn 2007.

The reason for both these proposals was that the new Explorer service would provide an adequate service especially as that service would now run through to 3 November 2007 when the winter service would commence.

As these represent a potential decision by the Minister to ‘revoke an omnibus licence’, Article 24 of the Motor Traffic (Jersey) Law 1935 applies which requires the changes to be advertised and representations or submissions allowed prior to the Minister making his final decision.

An advertisement was placed in the Gazette part of the JEP on 17 and 19 April advising the public of the proposed changes and seeking comments by 30 April 2007. A media release was also issued and an interview conducted on Radio Jersey to clarify the proposals.

Comments

The department received only one submission which objected to the proposals because the writer thought that Connex would receive the income from the Explorer service and the States would lose out as it receives the income from the scheduled service. This is inaccurate and a letter was sent to clarify the contract conditions.

Given the above, there appears to be little or no opposition to these proposals so it is recommended that the Minister approve the changes.

Under the Law, the Minister must provide a further public notice notifying the public of the decision that has been made. Given the fact that only one objection has been received, it is suggested that the Minister issues a media release confirming the decision he has made and the reasons for it.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the following schedule changes:

· The Service 8B will be cancelled for the Summer schedules.

· The ‘K’ Services will not be run in the autumn 2007.

Reasons for Recommendation

These services will be adequately covered by the Explorer service which will run through until 3 November 2007.
Only one objection was received from a member of the public which was based on an inaccurate assumption concerning who receives the fare income from the Explorer service.

Actions Required

Advise Connex of this decision.

Prepare a media release advising the public of this decision.

Written and approved by:

Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport

File Ref: 35/9

01.05.07