Issue - meetings

Presentation followed by an opportunity for public questions.

8.40pm

 

The Committee received a verbal presentation from the Managing Director of Stagecoach which highlighted the distinction between commercial bus operators and supported services.

 

Questions from members of the public:

 

1.   Mike Sargeant: Buses used to be a public service. Can the City Deal offer anything for bus users? Do we need to bring back regulation for buses? Residents in the Milton Road area suffered from a constant stream of busses up and down the road, none of which stop to pick up passengers. (This point was raised by a number of other attendees at the meeting).

 

The Guided Buses and the Park and Ride Services do not stop in Milton Road as they are intended as a rapid transport system for those coming from further afield. The number 9 offers a half hourly service on Milton Road.

 

Regulation is unlikely to return. Areas that use regulation, such as London, have invested heavily in supporting infrastructure to support the bus networks. That is not possible locally. However, bus use has doubled in recent years.

 

2.   Public Question: What buses will serve the new Railway Station?

 

A change to the Citi 2 services was being considered to allow it to serve the new station.

 

3.   Kay Harris: What changes were likely following the implementation of 20 mph limits across Cambridge?

 

Some changes to routes had already been made to accommodate lower speeds and further changes may be needed when the wider impact is fully understood.

 

4.   Kay Harris: Buchan Street currently has no service.

 

This area was covered by Whippet services.

 

Councillor Price: Buchan Street now had a bus shelter but currently had no regular bus service. Could the Citi 1 pick-up from here, perhaps on alternate trips?

 

Splitting routes was not always successful but could be investigated.

 

5.   Kay Harris: The Citi 1 often waits for some time at the Arbury Community Centre and passengers are sometimes asked to change to another bus. Why?

 

Service routes and timetables are registered. Recovery time is incorporated into timetable to allow drivers to catch up following delays. This may result in buses waiting for their scheduled departure time before completing journeys. All vehicles are fitted with radios.

 

6.   Mr Jennings: London buses are not subject to delays caused by drivers issuing tickets.

 

A range of ticket options are available to limit such delays and more are in the pipeline, such as 5 day tickets and the use of mobile phone technology.

 

7.   Michael Bond: Traffic management can cause delays. However, the 20 mph limit should reduce the need for traffic light controlled junctions. What impact do you expect this to have on bus timetables?

 

There are a number of changes in the pipeline which might impact on bus timetables. Proposals for floating bus stops have the potential to cause problems and to increase conflict between bus users accessing bus stops and cyclists.

 

Questions from Councillors

 

1.   Councillor Sales: Members of the public have reported that the Park and Ride Buses are speeding down Histon Road.

 

More details, including date and times, were requested to allow further investigation.

 

2.   Councillor Tunnacliffe: A bus stop on Milton Road opposite the Westgate Centre was requested and a 6 months trial proposed but it seems not to have happened.

 

An additional stop was requested when parking spaces were under threat. No action was taken as there was insufficient demand.

 

3.   Councillor Tunnacliffe: Buses do not appear to stop at the Downham’s Lane stop.

 

The number 9 bus stops as all stops on Milton Road.

 

4.   Councillor Pitt: Why is there no specific Citi service for Milton Road?

 

Milton Road is served by the number 9 which is a combination of a rural / city service.

 

5.   Councillor Todd-Jones: The Citi number 8 and the Park and Ride B on Histon Road are mistaken for each other. Can the numbers be made clearer?

 

The buses are different colours.

 

6.   The change to the route of the Citi 2 has left some passengers with a long walk to their destination.

 

The route was changed to reduce the mileage and avoid delays. There are a number of buses from the drop off point of the Citi 2 to the Bridge Street area.

 

7.   Councillor Manning: What are the regulations regarding no smoking signs in bus shelters?

 

Bus shelters are not the property of Stagecoach. However, the current regulations require a no smoking sign to be in place if the bus stop has three or more sides.

 

8.   Councillor Kerr: Can you give the Committee an update on the trial of audio messages on buses to assist the visually impaired traveller?

 

Further trials were planned but the current results although good on the guided busway, were disappointing when bus stops are only short distances apart. Unless these difficulties could be resolved, the system would not be implemented.

 

9.   Councillor Kerr: What training was given to bus drivers regarding cyclists?

 

Drivers are given initial training and then annual refreshers. Additional warning signs for cyclist, to be displayed on the rear of buses, was under investigation.

 

10.               Councillor Tunnacliffe: when will the bus stop outside the Old Spring be updated to include real-time information?

 

All buses had been fitted with the necessary equipment. However, bus stops were under the control of the County Council.