Agenda item

UNO

Mr Todd and Mr Ball, UNO. presented the written response to the core questions, highlighting the salient points.

The Scrutiny Panel asked questions, heard and made comment:

Ø  The fleet of vehicles in Northampton is 25, the average age being 8 years.

Ø  The composition of the fleet:

o   10 vehicles    Euro 3

o   9 vehicles     Euro 5

o   4 vehicles      Euro 4

Ø  UNO works closely with the University of Northampton

Ø  UNO has been operating in Northampton for 3-4 years. The market conditions are very challenging.

Ø  No data is available regarding late buses due to congestion but could be provided to the Scrutiny Panel at a later date

Ø  In response to a query regarding bus routes when the University halls relocate, it was confirmed that a service will still be provided to Kingsthorpe but the route could be modified slightly

Ø  The Scrutiny Panel heard that to make bids for funding more viable, backing of the Local Authority would be helpful

Ø  It was confirmed that UNO purchase brand new vehicles but also buy them second hand from London. London buses are of a very high specification and have emissions control etc.

Ø  The investment needed to put on five electric mini buses would be £5-6 million, including initial set up and charging points (at depots and on campus)

Ø  A typical battery for a bus lasts 85 miles

Ø  In response to a query regarding a potential park and ride, the Scrutiny Panel was advised that a feasibility study had not as yet been done.

Mr Todd and Mr Ball were thanked for their informative address.

AGREED:      That the information is noted and informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

StageCoach

Steve Burd, Managing Director, StageCoach, presented his written response to the core questions of the Scrutiny Panel highlighting the salient points:

·         The central road system in Northampton cannot cope with the volume of traffic using it in peak times, there is a need to ensure central roads are used only by traffic entering/exiting the town; rather than being used as a through route.

·         Pollution problems are created when vehicles are idling in heavy traffic.

·         The organisation has invested £10.2 million on 66  low emissions buses in the last five years and intends to invest a further 33.8 million on 22 Euro 6 standard low emission vehicles for routes 1 and x4 between now and the beginning of 2020.

·         Many low emissions buses cost in the region of 80-100% more to maintain.

·         In response to a query regarding park and ride, Mr Burd suggested that it would help the congestion in the town and pointed out that successful schemes elsewhere normally were located exiting main bus corridors in to towns.  This enabled cost to be reduced by reaching agreements with bus operators to use the exiting routes to divert via the new park and ride, making use of the spare seats that are   available.

·         A park and ride could be viable in Northampton but would require NCC, NBC and the operators to all work together.  The ideal location would be on the edge of the town, and on or close to a high frequency bus service, which could be diverted/extended to the site.

·         There would need to be incentives for the motorist to use park and ride.

·         A discount Mega Rider Ticket Scheme officer had been put forward to Northamptonshire County Council to help reduce the traffic congestion impact of the relocation of its staff to the Angel One site in the town centre.

·         There is a need to obtain a better balance free car parking and minimising pollution and congestion.  Problems in Northampton often occur during the late afternoon period, particularly in the months leading up to Christmas, when shoppers leave the town at the same time as people leaving work, severely worsening the congestion in the town centre.

·         Options that help to increase road capacity in the town centre area should be looked at.

·         In response to a query regarding whether or not changing the entry and exit of the Mayorhold car park would help congestion, it was stated this would be worth investigating.

·         Adequate off street parking in new residential developments is of key importance in enabling bus services to negotiate these estates without impairment.  It is also vital to ensure that core spine routes are built through adjoining residential developments to enable the maximum level of bus service to be provided and to help ensure that such services become commercial.

·         The St James Smart Corridor will help to speed up buses.

·         The Scrutiny Panel commented that bus shelters are limited, acknowledging that they cost £8000 each.  Some bus shelters are the responsibility of NCC, some NBC and others commercial organisations. Some Parish Councils put in bus shelters.

Mr Burd was thanked for their informative address.

AGREED:      That the information is noted and informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.