Securing Modal Shift to Bus and the Importance of Partnership Working

Nick PhillipsAccessibility Team Leader, Borough of Poole

Poole- It’s a Beautiful Place

• Voted in Top Ten of car friendly towns in UK

• Increasing traffic congestion on East- West corridor with problem exacerbated by seasonal peaks

• Restricted geography due to coast and peninsular

• High car ownership • Externalities include cost of

accidents, air quality issues, severence & social exclusion

Securing Modal Shift

Securing Modal shift – by Bus

Department for Transport Summary of Annual Bus statistics 2013-2014

“ Biggest % change in bus use per head since 2004/05”

Poole 72%

Bournemouth 62%Thurrock 59%E Sussex 44%W Sussex 38%

Voluntary Quality Bus Partnership Agreement

• QBP originally signed by Local Authorities and bus operators in December 1999

• Updated October 2009 and currently being refreshed

• Steering Group established to ensure key objectives are met

• Ethos remains the same – by working together more significant improvements can be made than working independently

QBP – Key Objectives • Promotion of bus as preferred

mode of travel to the private car

• Create “virtuous circle” of improvements to sustain and develop network

• Improve accessibility• Target capital schemes to

improve journey times and reliability

• Secure modal shift to bus • Not just a talking shop

Securing Modal Shift - by Bus

Need to work in partnership to combat issues of:-•Image of the bus to non users•Reliability of services•Waiting facilities•Low density housing estates with limited bus access•Multi operator ticketing •Fundamental barrier of information•Increasing pressure on Council budgets

The Image of the Bus

• Significant investment by bus operators in high specification, low emission, fully accessible vehicles, with smartcard ticketing, cctv, WiFi, luxury seating

Improved Waiting Facilities

Reliability of Services• Survey of 800

residents across Poole / Bournemouth & Christchurch showed that this was the key issue to make people use buses more

• Tackled through QBP “Wish list” of capital schemes to improve punctuality

QBP Wish List - Bus Priority

QBP Wish List – Improved Enforcement

QBP Wish List – Partnership Improvements

• Twin Sails Bridge opened April 2012

• Traffic Calming revised in Turlin Moor estate with bus friendly cushions replacing speed tables

• Round the harbour 8&9 services introduced allowing greater journey opportunities, a doubling of frequency from the estate and the use of higher quality vehicles

Local Sustainable Transport Fund & Better Bus Area

FundA package of targeted measures to maintain the momentum of significant bus patronage

growth in the conurbation. • £12.12m LSTF funding from

Department for Transport to Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch

• £1.875m local contributions from LTP and developer Contributions

• £3.4m BBAF from DfT, bus operator investment in excess £1m in new vehicles

• Provided the “Step change” in infrastructure improvements across conurbation

Better Bus Stops• Over 100 stops reviewed and

improved with operators• Standard layouts adopted

across conurbation• 26m clearways provided

following road tests with buses• 160 cm raised kerbs at all stops• Laybys extended or build outs

provided if required

• New seating, easy to read bus stop flags (including solar)

Better Bus Shelters• Following retender over 90

distinctive new stainless steel shelters delivered to provide a coherent design across the conurbation

• Passengers appreciate the light and airy glass roof and full width seating

• Positive comments from local residents, retailers and planners about improvement to public realm

• Additional timetable cases for passenger information

Better RTI Displays• 120 new TFT style

displays provided with 120 mid-life LED displays upgraded to GPRS Comms

• Turnkey delivery with single supplier for shelters and displays

• Solves potential problems of multiple inspections

• Solution ringfences advertising revenue from shelter contract to provide ongoing support for maintenance of shelters & displays

Better RTI System• PMR system originally installed

in 2002, upgraded in 2014/5 to GPRS communications

• Includes web based back office system to actively manage fleet

• On bus equipment for next stop displays and audible announcements

• Traffic signal priority• Despatcher – Driver Voice

Capability• Congestion hotspots identified

by Bus Operators using RTI Schedule Adherence package - feeds priority list for QBP

Sea View Scheme• Identified through QBP Wish

list• Buses had to circle around

roundabout to join stops- an unnecessary 80000 conflicting vehicles movements pa

• No shelter at main island stop or raised kerbs

• LSTF funded scheme provided 4 new stops with shelters/RTI and linked by new zebra crossings

• 3100 bus miles saved• Operators subsequently

increased frequencies of main services

Better Bus Information

Multi Operator Ticketing

Council Supported Services

• Route ONE town service funded by Developer Contributions

• Links Poole Quarter residential area with Shopping Centre, Bus/Rail Stations and Hospital

• 175 000 passengers pa• Council purchased

vehicles in 2009 to save revenue costs

Council Supported Services

The “socially necessary” bus service

Conclusion

Thank You