CONSULTATION: Review of Supported Bus Services August 2015 · Compass will get swipe key card facility. Key cards were introduced in 2012 and all bus companies need to get on board

CONSULTATION: Review of Supported Bus Services August 2015 MAIN

Service Number

Comments From Nature of Comment

1/1A Resident Requests a bus service is put into place for the Portslade Senior schools and a review of the 1/1A bus service for travellers to and from work.

16 Resident Number 16 is an essential service – want to thank the council for continuing to fund it.

16, 66, 56 Resident Disabled user – essential service for vulnerable users in Knoll estate.

16, 56, 57, 66

On behalf of Hangleton and Knoll Community Action Group

Hangleton and Knoll Community Action Meeting Wed 13th May at St Richards Notes are on bus related questions/comments by attendees of the meeting with Richard Johnson answering the questions. Council commission service buses, partnership with bus companies. The council subsidies bus services which aren’t profitable. Renewal for tender/contract is up in Sep 2016. At the moment the contract is with Compass. Richard showed in the Bus Times book pages and pointed out where more information could be found. Current buses 16, 56 and 66. There use to be a 57 on Sundays which no longer operates. This was not well used but was useful. 57 starts in Seven Dials now – pointed out by attendee this is not far from the original route. 16 and 56 – concern these buses will be lost. A bus survey questionnaire was sent out. Claire put a report together about the pro’s/con’s of the service addressing specific questions. Main concern for the renewal of the contract is this current bus service is some peoples only mode of getting from A to B, lifeline for a lot of people. Overall general concern/worry. Claire sent leaflets with community information to Compass to be put out – this wasn’t done. Richard advised going via

council as Compass is under contract. There is no information on the re-contract yet. There may be a different operator come Sep 2016. How much budget is given to transport and priorities is part of the process. Don’t know how much budget will be allocated so can’t answer for certain. Intention now: find out what people want (which Claire has already done). The council are just starting this process so information will be collected with more chance for people to add/update. 57 service: Richard explained the council didn’t cover this route. Compass added on this service, decided it wasn’t profitable, and then removed it. Is it possible for future tender to factor in 57 service? Problem is extra services can’t be asked for as the budget will probably be less. Requests can be taken on board and put forward but unlikely to materialise because of costs. In the past tried an evening service and was told it was too much money. Indicators introduces – Real Time New system coming on stream this year, all bus companies will show real time by the end of this year, Compass, Stagecoach etc. Is this all bus stops of existing bus stops? Just existing. Issue raised with particular stop – extra sign West Way towards Hangleton. 56 is a noisy bus route Richard was in touch with Compass last week and they are going to look into this. 16 + 66 are not the newest of buses. Prioritise new buses to longest routes. Pat (Chairperson) reinforced on bus 5th of May and 12th May, service was used and it was a new bus. Was pleased. 56 Emergency bus door, horrendous noise and jammed with blue tissue paper. Concern Health and Safety? 56 goes a long way app 1 hour. As above, Richard contacted Compass – looks like they’ve swapped some of the buses over to solve the problem. Compass is aware of noise (not safety) issue.

2016 – if Compass is accepted tender Compass will get swipe key card facility. Key cards were introduced in 2012 and all bus companies need to get on board. At the end of July, apart from Stagecoach, you can use key cards on all buses. Real Time – New Signs. Knoll estate – need it for here as highlighted by survey questionnaire comments. Need to identify key stops as all stops couldn’t be done. Need for 66 as you never know if the bus is coming or already left. Different set of money for real time signs as this is a one off government cost. This budget and the budget for bus routes cannot be mixed. Bus times - Phones are an alternative method, cost concerns of making the call Nice if we could subsidise it but can’t as it is an ongoing cost People use phones more, it’s restricting People with access to the internet on their phones or at home can access the information free of charge. Appreciate it’s not available to everyone and texts are 25p. Tenders – Do you select by price – the service at the moment is weak. How do you select? Overall value for money. Contract includes contingency plans i.e. if a bus breaks down. As Compass is in a contract with the council, the council have the power to penalise. This only applies to bus routes the council subsidise: 5, 56, 66. Other routes = traffic commissioner. Service of no.5 is very good Pleased as people are only getting one particular service. Council problem at the moment. Some due to different schemes going on – Station on North Street. Complaint issue with 57. Didn’t turn up one Sunday, first bus of the day. Compass was e-mailed and the reply was that traffic was so bad, decided to miss this stop and go up a different way. When e-mailed from the community centre Compass reply but when it’s from a personal e-mail they do not reply. Issue trying to get responses. Finding Compass bus drivers unresponsive/unpleasant (i.e asking for directions – no response). 56 community bus – think Compass need to take things more seriously. Advised they can go via the council and it can also be done anomalously. It is better to go via the

council because of the contract between the council and Compass. If the council ask Compass questions they need to reply. Tender for Compass – unreliable. Should review if Compass get the contract again. Look at complaints Hoping someone from Compass would be there – known for a long time. Came to first meeting – prove themselves. They are doing the best they can but if they haven’t got equipment/driver it’s hard to do the service. Compass did reply and apologise to say they were in meetings all week. Brighton and Hove asked but they nicely replied they couldn’t attend. Depends how new service is going to be a priority. If people in the community isn’t the priority then what is? 56 is an important bus. Talk about pollution/children walk to school/university – forced to because of service - grendean (not sure of the actual name) side so many services, this side is struggling. Problem = planning. Understand. Problem is can’t plan bus routes since 1986 – have to work with deregulated bus services. Buses decide if it’s not profitable, the council have to pick up the pieces and try to provide for that service. They don’t find it profitable to run to Knoll estate so the council with their budget provide the level of service they can with their budget. Has anyone run a regular bus to see if it is profitable? Those who can walk down to the 2 or 5 route do which mean less people in knoll need the bus. A lot of elderly people here can’t do that. Tenders meeting – ask if they can take commercial routes. Tried in the past 16 years ago wasn;t subsided then but it is now. Walking to number 2 – doesn’t turn up and example of it taking 1 hour to get to the persons dentist or 56 takes 20 minutes to get there. Couple of times on 56 bus, driver helped. Positive feedback like that to the community could help keep 56. Standard of Compass buses with nose etc makes people want to use no.2 Please pass feedback over the next month as this is being looked into.

Two adults, 2 children is a bus far issue. Realise this has to happen but it is difficult for families. Online tickets, kids bus ID reduces cost. Churchill square under 2 hours = £3. Centre of Hove opposite the Town Hall is a reasonable priced car park. Hopefully when the one card service is introduced Compass will be more used. Every time a card is used Compass get a bit of money – feed back into service. MP’s etc should try and give money/support. 56 need to start and make it profitable. Would like to do it but it’s not just this one area and unless money is taken from other departments which can’t be done. How much does it cost to operate? 1.3 million. The whole of 56 is app £100,000. 16 and 66 is app £50,000 Why don’t the government want a better service? General terms sticking to the contract. Problems = penalised but we need to know about them. Pat – report forms on any issue are available – particularly with buses as they are due for renewal. Asked about length of contract/tender? Normally the contract/tender is 4 years. If going out to tender Sep 2016 when does the process star? This Summer, writing out to companies. Between this summer and next summer buses – asking to see commercial routes. Do you envision any service not being able to be used? Hope not but it is impossible time. 2012 example – one bus services reduced. Report to committee to decide. Politicians decide on buses. 5B – 4 buses go one way? Contact the bus company because they can look into it and see why They never get back. Apologise for that Questionnaire sent out via community list – Not by post. Pat – some paper ones done on buses when

possible. Compass got a copy of the questionnaire and results and sent quite a comprehensive relpy. They didn’t really cover the noise of buses/customer service areas but did cover real time/key cards. Would like in the next meeting a member of Compass to be present. Could contact if community invite have no joy. Silvia wouldn’t call it a noisy bus and said drivers were friendly. She gets the bus every morning at the same time. In future going through Richard rather than direct.

Hangleton and Knoll Community Action Bus Services Consultation 2015 Introduction Hangleton and Knoll Community Action is the local action team for the Hangleton and Knoll ward. The forum is made up of local residents, community group representatives and service providers such as the local Police, Housing Officers, and Community Wardens. The forum meets quarterly for local residents to openly raise issues affecting their lives in their community. The forum works in partnership with residents and service providers to find solutions to local issues as identified by the community. The Hangleton and Knoll Projects Youth and Community Development Workers play a pivotal role in supporting and empowering residents and young people to raise issues through the forum and actively work in partnership with service providers to deliver community based activities to increase community cohesion and improve the perception of community safety in Hangleton and Knoll. The Forums 2013/14 Annual Report highlighted local bus service updates and opportunities to inform future tendering of services as a priority. In January 2015 the Steering Group worked with the Community Development Worker to draft a questionnaire and conduct consultation to gather information on what bus services residents use and feedback on any issues raised with existing services. This report is a summary of the feedback we received which will be presented to Brighton and Hove City Council ahead of the May 2015 themed Bus Services Meeting hosted by Hangleton and Knoll Community Action.

We received 36 questionnaire responses from residents, young people and members of community groups, we also received additional questions and comments from a further 10 residents.

We asked - Which Hangleton and Knoll Bus Services do you use? 16, 66, 5B, 2, 5, 5A, 14 Are you happy with the Bus Service you use? 61% of residents and young people said they were happy with the Bus Services they use. Please tell us why you are happy or unhappy with the service you use?

Comment/Question Relating to which service

It’s often late and doesn’t run after 5pm 16/66 I can’t use the service as it’s not a Brighton and Hove Bus which I purchase an annual saver for. Also the service is quite sparse and does not run regularly enough at peak times

16/66

I regularly use the number 16 service from Hangleton Valley Drive and whilst it’s provided by Compass it has much improved on what was provided previously by Brighton and Hove in terms of punctuality and number of services each day. Questions – it provides a service less frequently than one bus per hour on weekdays and on Saturday but none on Sunday, can this be improved? Since it is not a Brighton and Hove Bus Service it is not displayed on the indicators at bus stops, Can this be introduced?

16

It’s getting more and more expensive All I’m happy because it’s a very handy service 16 Sometimes the buses do seem to go missing and don’t turn up at all, this could be improved

16,56,2

The service stops when schools are out and I often wait a long time for a bus between 3 and 4pm

5,5a,5b

Inadequate service for residents of Hangleton Valley ( The 5 service at the Grenadier is excellent)

Lack of driver awareness about stopping for blind residents 5,5a,5b,14 Good Services 5b Compass Buses are always late (x2) 16

Drivers always friendly 5a,5,5b Buses are almost always on time from Hangleton and run every 10 minutes on return from Churchill Square

5,5a

The bus comes every 10 minutes which is good 5,5a,5b I am happy with the services but I would point out that I use the Fallowfield stop in Nevil Avenue and I have to walk into the road due to the parked cars, sometimes the driver doesn’t even stop NB I use a 3 wheel walker because of bad mobility

5a

Regular 10 minute service, lovely helpful drivers. I use my bus pass all the time

5b

Could be better. Needs to be more reliable. Driver ok but one is most unpleasant

56,16

No information on boards (real time) this would be so helpful 16,16 The bus service is generally on time, most of the drivers are polite and helpful. The 5 and 5a operate in my road and as a non-driver I find this very helpful when carrying shopping

5,5a,5b

The bus on the 56 route is very noisy, can this be looked into? 56 If Compass gets the contract in 2016 will they accept swipe cards? (This has been highlighted as a clear need from residents who currently have a swipe card they cannot use on the Compass Service)

All Compass Services in Hangleton and Knoll

Are Matrix Boards with real time information going to be fitted? All Compass Services in Hangleton and Knoll

Near enough always late along with extortionate prices 5B, 5A,5,16,66 Most of the service is good 5A,5B,5,7 They are polite and friendly but now and then you get a horrible one Some drivers are rude. They don’t wait for elders sometimes.

Too expensive.

They take forever 6,5 Take so long. Bus driver are horrible to young people 5,56

5B,5A,5

They are always late 56,16,66,5A,5B Because 5b can be unreliable and 14 is too infrequent. For instance, I waited 40 mins. for a 5b. During that time four 5b buses passed in the other direction and none returned for 40 minutes and then two came together. There is no excuse for this. Also, Live Time showed that a a 5b was due in 5 minutes when I arrived at bus stop. This has happened on several occasions. I complained to bus co. and was told I'd be contacted with an explanation but never was.

5B,14

We have received suggestions for an evening service between Hangleton and Knoll, do you think this is needed and why? 30% of people said an evening service between Hangleton and Knoll is needed

s for Youth group on a Monday evening and there is currently no bus from up here in Hangleton.

activities.

Hangleton in the evening and there is currently no provision

use it too.

nk it is a good idea because the elderly or disabled might need it because the 16 bus only runs

till 7pm roughly and the 16 bus takes 40 minutes to get from Hangleton to the Knoll

Do you have any other comments about Hangleton and Knoll Bus Services? “I would like more regular/later/weekend bus services. The drivers are really nice” “I cannot afford to purchase separate bus tickets for each individual service so I would suggest an agreement between companies or a Brighton and Hove Bus service to run an evening route” “Instead of the no 6 service on the Hangleton Lane/Link Road roundabout to and from Sainsbury’s could it not turn on the Towns Corner Roundabout in one direction giving access to all rail stations and shopping centres from Hangleton? “A lot of people get on a Compass Bus to get to the Grenadier then get on another bus just to get to work” “We would be lost without it” “More direct routes to Boundary Road” “Helping hand cards for the blind and Talking Buses training for drivers” “The bus time signs and the Grenadier are very useful” “They are good driver and friendly” “The 5 services are excellent and most drivers are really helpful, there should be social skills training for some drivers” “How about one to the seafront in Hove” “Very Good” “57 Bus needs sorting” “Sometimes they are early/late and drivers are not always cheerful” “ We would like to see more women’s names on the Brighton and Hove Buses” “We can’t use our Iphone ticket on the bus which is inconvenient” “The 5’s are all in Hardwick Road at once causing traffic issues” “Some drivers should work on their customer service” “Bus prices have risen too quickly” “I don't know about Knoll but evening off peak services on 5b route are unreliable” “A bus connection from Hangleton Road to Portslade Station would be useful”

Summary The feedback received indicates the 5 service is very well received by most residents and young people. Issues raised relating to the 5 service will be taken forward as part of this report. There are a few key recurring issues relating to the Compass Service operating from the Knoll Estate The Key issues are –

service is hourly and residents and young people are waiting not knowing if the bus will turn up.

cards are currently unable to use the service.

with the 56 service meaning the bus is incredibly noisy

Hangleton and Knoll Community Action will continue to work in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council to work on the issues identified in this consultation. Claire Johnson Community Development Coordinator For and on behalf of The Hangleton and Knoll Project

18 Resident Suggests returning 18 to previous route.

21, All Resident

Thinks the council should continue funding bus services, provided they are used.

Frequent user of 21 service – currently poor timekeeping.

21 Resident

Regular user of evening service to Goldstone Valley concerned about discontinue of some evening services.

21 Resident

Concerned about lack of evening Goldstone Valley services to/from Brighton and Hove and affordability of alternative safe travel.

Essential service for families, vulnerable and working users in isolated/hill area and those without personal transport.

21A Resident

Recently relocated to the area. Factored public transport to/from city centre as part of work

into decision.

Amputee – will suffer mobility problems in future.

Concerned for safety and restriction of service.

21 Resident

Relies on service to get to/from work.

Renewed annual bus pass based on usage but will not be valid if service is cut (no other service goes to/from location).

Current service unreliable in afternoons.

21 Resident

Uses service frequently for work/pleasure.

Concerned for restriction of foreign students staying in the area.

21 Resident

Non driver relies on service to get to/from volunteer evening work and also uses service for pleasure.

Current service does not run regularly enough.

21A Resident

Essential service for users in isolated/hill area. Alternative 5B is not an option for vulnerable users and also safety concerns for those who will have to use this option.

21 Resident

Pensioner uses route frequently.

Currently not a reliable service returning back to Goldstone Valley.

Taking buses off at times people use them to go into town – nights.

Difficulty foreign students getting into/out of town at evenings.

Difficulty returning from town by bus.

Suggests making the weekends a normal service so people don't have to use their cars or taxi's to get to town. During the week restrict the service, but not to a 2-3 hour gap with no buses at all.

21, 21A Resident

Services to the Goldstone Valley area are to be totally withdrawn in the evenings from 30 November 2015 – nearly 3 hours period every evening with no bus after 7.42pm (next bus 11.24pm).

Difficulty getting into Brington/Hove and returning home after work if finishing in evenings.

Safety concern for foreign students.

Restriction on residents without car or mobility problems (walking up hill/steep hill for the 5B or 27).

Suggests some no.7 buses extend the route up from Hove Station, say once an hour, following the 21/21A route.

21 Resident

Reduced 21 bus service after 9 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, planned to take effect from 30 November because of a withdrawal of funding.

Resident does not drive and uses evening services. They notice other passengers include: older people who live further up this route and who cannot walk from the nearest 7 or 14 stop, families with young children, foreign students (who are good for the local economy), teenagers whose parents would otherwise have to go and collect them, those returning to Hove station from work in London.

The focus in Brighton and Hove seems to be to increase provision for students and clubbers with more night buses. (I know those who work late use them too).

It will be a long wait for those who cannot walk and cannot afford taxis.

21 Resident

Disgusted to find that without any prior notice the proposed evening bus service to Goldstone Valley is to change for the worse. This is hidden in the new Bus Times, and I wonder how many people in this area have not yet realised.

Resident uses no.21 to travel to work and buys the yearly ticket at a cost of over £500.

Feels current service is the worst and most unreliable bus service that is run.

Making it impossible to go out for evenings at convenient times and difficult for the young also to travel out/home safely.

Suggestion bus company reroute 5B so it could cover the area and remove 21 completely.

21, 21A Resident

Late buses used by resident and 2 teenage children. Options are to use taxi or walk in ‘at risk’ isolated dark area.

Suggests reconsidering decision or provide regular/smaller bus from Blatchington Road to Goldstone Valley at those later time.

21 Resident

Regular user of evening service from work and also uses for pleasure.

21 Resident

Objects to timetable changes as current service is needed for those with mobility problems.

21 Resident

Reduced evening service means residents have to use car.

Suggests uses smaller buses.

21 Resident

Family rely on this service to link them with centre of town.

Oppose timetabled changes.

21 Resident Only bus servicing a large part of Hove/Goldstone Valley

Area is already very poorly served with buses half hourly and hourly evenings and on weekends.

Many residents will be unable to go out in the evenings.

21 Resident Only bus servicing a large part of Hove/Goldstone Valley

Will leave residents with no affordable transport home from Brighton centre or Hove Station in the evenings and leave visitors to the neighbourhood unable to return to Brighton area after 8.30pm.

21 Resident Disappointing not to have continual service throughout the evening particularly for parents with teenagers and residents within the Goldstone Valley Area.

Safety concerns for children and alternative routes they may need to take.

21 Resident Feels reduction in the service contradicts policy which encourages the use of public transport.

Will deter those without private transport from going out in the evenings which may lead to isolation and a detrimental effect on the city centre economy.

21, 21A Resident

Oppose reduction in evening bus services to Goldstone Valley.

Valuable service for commuters arriving at Hove Station

25, 23 On behalf of University of Brighton

Services are used by the staff and students frequenting the universities.

Priority list suggestion: School services Peak service for commuting

Evening service Monday to Saturday off peak service Sunday service

Suggests new route linking Universities to Woodingdean, Whitehawk, Hollingbury and Patcham.

37,37A,37B On behalf of Residents of Meadowview and Coombe Road area

Essential service for vulnerable users in isolated/hill area to access services, amenities and social networks.

No service is financially unviable for residents.

Safety concerns for alternative Lewes Road service.

Local community groups are willing to work together to ensure a long-term, sustainable solution as residents are extremely worried and angry about the future of their bus services.

37B Hanover and Elm Grove LAT Meeting 7 December

From Hanover and Elm Grove LAT Meeting 7 December: a) The meeting were in favour of the universities being asked to fund bus services that would

meet the needs of students and local people in areas not on the commercial network, with the aim of covering some existing council-funded bus services.

b) The meeting reiterated that the 37B service must be retained and not reduced as it meets essential needs for travel in areas of Hanover distant from commercial alternatives - and on steep hills.

c) The 37B is busier since the changes to the Queens Park commercial bus network because it’s perceived as a more direct link to London Road. It’s also meeting more needs elsewhere following reductions to other services to Bristol Estate and Meadowview.

d) Service 37B passengers sometimes struggle at the Imperial Arcade bus stop because other buses are blocking the area.

37/37B Resident Elderly friends that reside at Bristol Estate now feel very cut off and as a result don't go out as much which is affecting their quality of life.

37 On behalf of Meadowview & Tenantry Community Action Group

Meadowview and Coombe Road Bus Service requirements Following the general meeting of the Meadowview and Coombe Road communities we have

summarised the bus service requirements that would provide a minimum level of acceptable service to the area. We have included suggestions to aid strategic thinking and implementation planning where appropriate. Service Requirements

1. The bus service should run from 7:00am until 11.30 pm every day including weekends. 2. The bus service should run at least every 30 minutes. 3. The route of the bus service must follow a common sense route - that is a route passengers

want to take. This means at a minimum a short journey shuttle service connecting our area with all other Lewes Road bus services, or a longer service - Lewes road to the Old Stein and to Churchill Square returning the same route. (It should not be tacked on to other indirect routes to unrelated parts of the city).

4. The live bus display and mobile app system must include this service as soon as possible. NOTES These demands are being addressed to our local councillors: Mo Marsh Labour Party : May 2015 Election result - Votes 3210 (16% ) Anne Meadows : Labour Party : May 2015 Election result Votes 2966 (15%) Dan Yates : Labour Party: May 2015 Election result Votes 2326: (12% ) They are also being copied to interested parties such as the local area groups, the bus companies and the bus users association.

We expect our local councillors to take these demands seriously.

We expect our local councillors to engage with the council officers responsible for our bus service and ensure they take action.

We expect our local councillors to raise these demands at the appropriate committees.

We expect our local councillors to respond to us in a timely and supportive manner.

We expect action including the development of a viable sustainable public transport plan for our area that will deliver our service requirements within three months.

These demands are well within the service levels enjoyed by all similar areas of Brighton and Hove. These demands are reasonable and have the support of the local community.

These demands provide an opportunity to review and rethink the way our bus service is managed. These demands provide an opportunity to engage with other bus users such as the University community. Let’s get the bus service we need and deserve! Meadowview Bus meeting Monday 19th October 2015 Chair’s introduction – Stephanie Hedger The purpose of the meeting is to clarify the situation about the service resolving the conflicting information that was provided to CAG from Compass and Brighton and Hove City Council and passed on to the residents of Meadowview and the Coombe Road Area LAT during the summer. The panel – Andrew Boag (Chair, Brighton Area Buswatch), Chris Chatfield (MD Compass Travel), Richard Johnson (BHCC Transport Planning), Amelia Mills (CRALAT), Cllr Dan Yates. The meeting was well attended and the tone of the Q&A was lively and civil. Chris Chatfield: He was apologetic about the confusion felt by our community. Compass is a small company; has introduced key cards to improve revenue. It will guarantee minimum service until September 2016. He will consider our suggestions. BHCC (Richard Johnson) Understands the confusion. BHCC needs to review eve?Sun subsidy, extra funding needed to add to council subsidy shortfall, 75’ secured until April 2016. Andrew Boag: he aims to represent all bus users in the city. There was a general feeling of frustration with Brighton and Hove Buses that they had passed the responsibility to Compass to resolve the issue and that they had not sent a representative to the meeting. Summary of points raised by residents

- We want our own bus that goes up and down the hill regularly – introduce a shuttle loop

around the Vogue gyratory - When Meadowview was built it was understood that a bus service would be provided by the

council. - People do not stop living after 7pm/Saturday/Sunday. - Consider needs of working people/ less mobile people/ those caring responsibilities/ shoppers - The 37/37B bus route is always full – long waits/long journeys/trying to cover too wide an area;

who wants to go to Bristol Estate from here? - Revise and improve Compass’ system of complaints (telephone/written) and resolve company

discrepancy - RTD (Real Time Display) indicators need to be working - Responsibilit(ies) need to be met

The meeting asked for the fundamental issues to be resolved by all parties involved – Council officers, Councillors representing our ward, Compass Bus company – which are:

- Funding by BHCC/licence beyond April 2016 - Communicate clearly with our community - Consider approaching the Universities for subsidies

37 Resident

Request service returns to Brighton and Hove bus timetable as new schedule does not allow for connections to train station/school routes.

37, 37B, 56 Resident

Essential service for vulnerable users in isolated/hill area including to/from Asda

Currently irregular service between 37, 37B.

37 Compass Travel

Having operated a number of these contracts for the past five years we consider the existing timetables work well and the services are reasonably well used. We are not aware of any timetable improvements that are necessary.

The only route which could be improved would be the Sunday 57 which could be extended to the Knoll Estate. We did this for a year and the service was appreciated by Portslade residents – but unfortunately it needed additional funding for it to be viable which is why we withdrew it.

37 Resident Regular users of service.

Current service sometimes leaves early causing long waits for the next one.

37, 37A Resident Essential service for isolated area.

37, 37B Resident

Return bus to original: Bristol Estate to George Street which ran for 40years without problems or diverting some No 7 buses.

Estate has sheltered housing for the elderly, a primary school and mostly older residents all of whom will struggle to walk the very steep hill.

If advertised, the bus stop at the top of Walpole road provides excellent admittance to the A&E dept. of the Sussex County hospital.

37,38 74,75

Resident

Essential service for working eco-friendly parent in isolated/hill Meadowview area

Cost effective two-way connection for social visits.

Suggests 37 service should be every half hour, all week plus weekends.

74 and 75 service essential connection for child who attends Patcham High.

37, 37B Resident

Essential service for vulnerable users in isolated/hill area unable to access the alternative route.

Socially disconnected if evening services were removed.

Current service covers well run route (Queens Park/Hanover) rather than being more direct.

Priority is to preserve a frequent service up and down Bear Road/Coombe Road, connecting Meadowview to the major interchange at Lewes Road Garage.

37, 37B Resident

Essential service for vulnerable and working users in isolated/hill area.

37, 37B Resident

Essential service for vulnerable and working users in isolated/hill area and those without personal transport.

37,37B On behalf of CRALAT (Coombe Road Area Local Action Team)

Currently irregular service between 37, 37B suggests every 30 minutes.

Requests evening/weekend service and more direct/fast routes to central locations.

Essential service for non-drivers.

37,37B Resident

Currently irregular service between 37, 37B suggests every 30 minutes.

Essential service for vulnerable and working users in isolated/hill area and those without personal transport.

Requests service provides more direct/fast routes to central locations.

Requests Real Time Information.

37,37B Resident

Requests better Sunday service.

Request Real Time Information.

Suggests bus stop at the corner of Bear Road – safety concern for vulnerable users.

37, 37A Councillor Concerned loss of subsidy means Meadowview and Tenantry community is cut off at 7pm.

Essential service for vulnerable users in an isolated/hill area.

Currently no Real Time Information.

Positive support for smart ticketing machines but current ‘normal’ machines not up to standard.

37, 37B Resident

Feels operating one bus will leave passengers stranded in unexpected circumstances (bus breaks down/heavy traffic/accidents etc).

Current service used vulnerable users.

Feels service does not justify £540 annual bus pass.

37, 37B, 47

Resident Suggests 37/47 Sunday service arrange alternating start times so the services operate half-hourly in Kemp Town.

Some issues with current 37B/47 service timekeeping.

37, 37B, 47 and 57

On behalf of Craven Vale Community Association

Current 75 minute frequency in evenings for St George’s Road is inadequate.

Suggests new service between Brighton Station and Crematoria in Bear Road and then via Tenatry Down Road and Freshfield Road and Queensbury to Whitehawk Garage (serves both hospitals).

Suggest new route Falmer to Woodingdean continuing via Ovingdean to city centre.

37 Resident Resident and partner relay on service to get up steep hill.

Suggests if service cannot be retained to re root the 49 up bear road and then back down coombe road to rejoin the lewes road.

37 Resident Essential service for the elderly generations as it’s the only mode of transport.

37 Resident Bus pass holder that lives on Coombe Road. Would like buses to operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and evenings with hourly service on Sunday.

Finds the 37 useful to get to/from the railway station, quicker and easier than the 48.

Uses the bus for the London Road shops.

It would be helpful timing of the 37 was displayed on the illuminated signs.

37/37B

Resident

The 37/37B provide transport access to some of the steepest hills in Brighton, most specifically in the Meadowview and Bristol Estate areas but also, with regard to the 37B, Hartington Road, Southover Street and the lengthy steep incline of Pankhurst Avenue.

Essential service for the elderly and young parents.

Service reduced already from Winter 2015 timetable.Feels if it’s reduced futher it would be cutting off vital lifelines.

Feels that more services generate more passengers rather than less and, ideally, a frequency of no less than every 30 minutes should be a benchmark, anything more tending to act as a deterrent. However, I realise that is probably anathema when it comes to funded services.

Sunday now recognised as the second busiest shopping day of the week, consideration should be made to operating the 37B on Sundays, perhaps replacing the 37 during the daytime hours.

37B Resident Essential service which provides lifeline to elderly of both Hanover and Hartington Road areas of the city.

With the re-routing of service 21 via Queens Park Road, the people of Elm Grove above Queens Park Road, and those needing to get to Brighton General Hospital rely much more on this service too.

37B Resident Essential service to residents.

Suggests current service is at least retained without reduction.

37B Resident

Resident of Southover Street, using the Finsbury Road bus stop uses only this service frequently for a variety of journey purposes.

Residents of the Albion Hill blocks of flats cut through from Southover Street bus stops as it is

the only means of level access to and from their homes.

37B Councillor Residents concerned for future of 37B route.

Usage has grown as its timetable has become established.

Essential service for mobility impaired and non-personal transport users in isolated/hill area.

37B Resident

Essential service for vulnerable users in isolated/hill area.

37B (18,81) Resident

Suffers severe anxiety, 37B less crowded than 21.

37B Resident

Essential service for vulnerable users.

Suggests Sunday service.

Positive support for smart ticketing machines.

37B Resident

Essential service for vulnerable, non-driving, eco-friendly users in an isolated area.

Suggests service commences one hour earlier and ends one hour later on week-days.


Suggests more advertising of the service.

37B, 21 Resident


Suggest 37B runs mornings only when mostly used.

21 is the only service from London Road to Queens Park.

37B Resident Does not use service as they can’t see on laptop/smartphone when bus will arrive and day tickets used aren’t valid.

Suggests saver tickets should be valid on all buses and real time information displays.

37B Resident Current service is poor and restrictive for people in Bowring Way with disabilities who are unable to climb steps or navigate steep hill.

37B Councillor Residents concerned for future of 37B route.

Currently service offers great social and wellbeing benefit for residents/vulnerable users.

Essential service to community.

37B Resident Concerned for impact on loss of service to vunerable users and school children as access to 2,21,and 18 is quite a distance.

37B Resident


Suggests encouraging wider usage.

37B Resident Reliant on public transport to leave home on Ladysmith Road.

37B Resident

Currently irregular service between 37, 37B.

Requests better evening/weekend/Sunday service.

Essential service for vulnerable and working users in isolated/hill area.

37B 77, 78, 79

Resident

Service supports lots of people with disability in South over St.

Satisfied with current service.

Feels the 77/78/79 should not be council funded.

47 Resident

Suggests evening Summer bus.

Currently happy with this service.

Positive support for smart ticketing machines. Suggest more advertising.

52 Resident

Vital service which goes through Ovingdean. Very little alternative to get into Brighton if you do not have a car.

Suggests it should be hourly. Currently not frequent enough.

Suggests previous operator runs service.

52 Resident

Essential service for vulnerable and non-driving users.


Suggests some services could be more direct/better connected.

52 Resident Essential service for non-drivers.

52 Resident

Suggests more regular/frequent/direct service.

Suggests reverting service to Clock Tower and Brighton Station.

Suggests service from ovingdean to Rottingdean.


Request Real Time Information. Priority List: · "Peak" Services for commuting to work · Monday to Saturday daytime “off-peak” services. · Evening services · Sunday Services · School services

52 Resident


Essential service for families.

Passionate about keeping non profitable route operating.

Significant improvement on 52 service.

52, 56 On behalf of the Older Peoples Council

Essential service for vulnerable users.

Currently infrequent service for no.52 and 56.


Request more direct routes offered across the city.

56 Councillor Vitally important service for residents in Hollingbury and Patcham. It is along very steep roads and not served by the commercial network.

Provides links to: City Centre, local libraries, schools, Asda, and shops in Patcham village it also serves the modern Medical/Health Centre in Carden Hill where there are two large doctors’ practices, X-ray and pharmacy provision.

Many residents will be cut-off and find it difficult to leave their homes without this service.

56 Resident Finds service from Fiveways to Hove useful.

Suggests 2 buses per hour hour.

56 Resident

Only service that serves part of Old Shoreham Road.

Essential service for vulnerable and non-driving community.

56 Resident

Essential service for vulnerable users in isolated/hill area including to/from Asda.

Requests Sunday service.

56 Resident Praises current service (time/punctuality/buses).


Currently no Real Time Information.

Suggests 5pm service from North Street runs 10 minutes later which would allow to accommodate those who finish work at 5pm.

56 Resident Praise for service 56 as it offers a much more direct route between the Clock Tower and Hove Park than alternative commercial services.

Hopes service 56 will be retained as it is and has noticed that many more people are now using it since smart ticketing was introduced.

56 Resident Essential service in, particularly for the elderly, within the area of the top of Wilmington Way and feeder roads.

56 Resident

Replied on behalf of elderly mother who uses the number 56 service from Cuckmere Way Hollingbury.

Arthritis restricts her using alternative services and due to hilly area restricts a lot of elderly users. Service is viewed as a lifeline for independence.

There is no other bus that runs from Carden Hill up to Cuckmere Way.

Positive feedback on the punctually of the 56 service.

57 Resident Praise for Sunday service 57 as it is the only day and service which allows Ovingdean residents to travel east.

Suggests expanding service 47 to go up to Ovingdean stores every other day

Important for elderly residents to have access to villages.

All Resident

Non car owner appreciates connections to the city and suburbs bus services offer.

All Brighton Area Buswatch

Brighton Area Buswatch feels the priorities should be: 1. To retain existing links and services while negotiating with all local bus operators to identify

whether some services could be run commercially. This could involve some restructuring of services where the operator feels it would improve their financial performance.

2. We do not favour prioritising services by time of day. Brighton & Hove is a 24/7 city where evening, night and Sunday services are just as important as daytime services. These are often used for work based journeys by people on low pay working unsociable hours in entertainment, hospitality and other transport industries as well as providing health care services. Our city has a very young population and young people tend to travel more at off peak times. Leisure journeys are also very important to young people and indeed those of all age groups.

3. To explore opportunities for funding from third parties, in particular pressure needs to be put on the two Universities which generate huge numbers of passenger journeys, currently concentrated along specific corridors, but which could be diversified. In some other cities, notably Oxford and Southampton dedicated networks have been developed to serve Universities, funded by them. These are open to all bus users so they enhance the network. There is also a need to try to get funding from major developments, eg Brighton Marina, Churchill Square and the King Alfred site towards bus service improvements through Section 106 Agreements or whatever other opportunities may be available.

4. On top of all this we would like to see the supported bus network promoted as an integral part of the overall bus network for Brighton & Hove with common fares and ticketing on all services. As suggested at the Quality Bus Partnership, this could involve a specific brand name and a dedicated smartcard.

Suggests new orbital bus network avoiding city centre to improve links to destinations on the periphery of the city.

A new cross City service which could be Portslade - Victoria Road - Mile Oak – Sainsbury – Hangleton – Old Shoreham Road – BHASVIC - Preston Circus – Varndean – Hollingbury – Falmer (possibly replacing or incorporating the current 5B journeys to Universities).

A frequent Hollingbury – Falmer shuttle service connecting into other services, using Hollingbury Asda and Falmer station as hubs.

Restructuring the 56 to provide an all day link from Patcham to Universities possibly in conjunction with the new cross city service above.

Extending route 52 to Universities to provide the Woodingdean – Falmer link.

A regular daily seafront service providing a direct link from Brighton Station to hotels and the i360, perhaps by a revised 77 service.

CONSULTATION: Review of Supported Bus Services August 2015

BREEZE

Service Number Comments From Nature of Comment

77,78,79 Resident

Important connection for people without personal transport.

77,79 Resident Important connection for people without personal transport/non-drivers.

77, 78, 79 South Downs National Park Authority

The SDNPA response is focused on the three Breeze services which we consider to provide invaluable car free links for visitors to the National Park. The context of our support is set out the Partnership Management Plan for the National Park and the following PMP outcomes and policies are relevant:

Outcome 5. Outstanding visitor experiences are underpinned by a high quality access network and sustainable transport network supporting improved health and wellbeing. Outcome 8. More responsibility and action and responsibility is taken by visitors, residents and businesses to conserve and enhance the special qualities and use resources more wisely.

Policy 34. Promote and enhance integrated travel provision from rail stations at gateways and within the National Park for pedestrians, cyclists and bus travel. Policy 35. Improve existing public transport provision for visitors and local communities, especially by increasing the availability of Sunday and evening bus and train services. In 2013, the SDNPA and associated transport authorities agreed a joint statement of intent with regards to supporting bus services during the LSTF funding period. Identified benefits of supported

services included: Reduces rural isolation Provides better access to services Visitor transport provision Reduces car travel (tranquillity / parking / impact on visitors) Achieves greater spend by visitors (Visitor survey) Inclusion for those unable to drive or without access to a car for social reasons Supports access for all – esp if suitable for wheelchair users Better support for family visits Adding Sunday and evening services to 6 days service provides greater perceived reliability /

use during the week We believe these benefits are still valid and an important part of delivering the PMP outcomes and policies. We also believe that the current Breeze services enhance visitor access and enjoyment in the National Park and reach an audience who may not otherwise have an opportunity to access the National Park. It would be disappointing to see any reduction in the level of Breeze services at a time when awareness of the SDNP and sustainable travel options is increasing. Should a lack of funding post LSTF result in a proposed reduction of services then our preferred option would be to reduce the level of service to Stanmer Park as visitors to the Park can at least take advantage of other nearby services and the rail station at Falmer. We would welcome a meeting to discuss future plans for the Breeze services.

CONSULTATION: Review of Supported Bus Services August 2015

SCHOOL Service Number Comments From Nature of Comment

91 Resident Suggests route would be more resourceful going via Rottingdean.

91 Resident

Essential service to get to school.

94 Resident

Safety concern - current service arrives too early to final school destination.

The service is too costly.

There is no return bus from Varndean at the end of school. Currently there are 2 buses that leave Stringer, but none for Varndean.

94 Resident

Safety concern - current service arrives too early to final school destination


There is no return bus from Varndean, only Stringer, despite the same cost in bus pass.

Elm Grove stop usually missed.

94 Resident

No connection bus between Bevendean and Varndean.

Current service arrives too early to final school destination.

Suggests Patcham school bus route could go via Varndean then Patcham, or the Hanover Varndean bus go via Lewes Road to pick up Bevendean, Moulsecoomb & Coldean pupils.

94 (reference 1)

Resident




Would like service to be subsidised so it can operate on suitable timetable.

94 Resident





94 Resident





94 (reference 2)

Resident



There is no return bus from Varndean at the end of school, only Stringer.

94 Resident





94 Councillor Supporting reference 1 and 2 sent by local residents.

Documents

CONSULTATION: Review of Supported Bus Services August 2015 · Compass will get swipe key card facility. Key cards were introduced in 2012 and all bus companies need to get on board