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Details
Business Item
Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) Services
Decision Maker Role:
Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development and Transport
Date of Decision
Mon 26 Feb 2024
Description
Decision of the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development and Transport.
Matter for Decision (to consider...)
1. To decide the future of the Buzzabout and Katch Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) Pilots currently operating by the Council, and the associated mobile app.
2. To consider the Council's role in the provision of community transport services going forward.
Service Area 2
Not Applicable
Is Decision District Wide
Yes
Decision Made
- That the Katch DRT pilot be extended until 31 April 2025. This will require Council expenditure of £90k.
- That the Buzzabout DRT pilots be extended until 31 March 2026. This will not require additional funding.
- That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development and Transport, to oversee a process to reprocure both Buzzabout and Katch separately, and to award the contract to the preferred bidder in each case.
- That a mechanism be established for Members to develop a long-term strategy for transport in East Suffolk, working alongside key stakeholders such as Suffolk County Council and Transport East and with the option to commission expert advice. A Decision could then be made about the viability of the Council operating transport services thereafter.
Reason for Decision
- The work on transport and travel pioneered by the Community Partnership Board is an important first step to identifying what sustainable transport, as identified as a priority in our direction 2028, could look like.
- The decision offers the Council a chance to fully benefit from the work already underway and learn what level of subsidy is likely to be required to provide a sustainable model for DRT services. It also gives time to commission expert advice on the best long-term strategy for transport in East Suffolk.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
- To no longer operate DRT services. Pilots close when the current contracts expire (Katch 11/4/24 and Buzzabout 31/8/24). The BSIP2 Funding offer for Buzzabout would not therefore be accepted.
- To no longer operate DRT services. Katch stops 11.4.24 and BSIP2 funding used to extend Buzzabout to 31 March 2026 before closing down.
- To operate transport services, commit to fund the existing Katch and Buzzabout DRT services as part of resourcing a significant, high-profile programme of services that meets travel needs in the rural transport deserts across the district.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared
None.
Any Dispensation Granted
None.
Decision Criteria
This Decision does not contain any decision criteria records.
Wards
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Topics
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Overview and Scrutiny
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Reports
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Decision History
20/02/2024 14:18:27 | Matt Makin | Business Item Created | |
20/02/2024 14:18:27 | Matt Makin | Committee Added | Cabinet |
20/02/2024 14:18:27 | Matt Makin | Meeting Added | 05/03/2024 6:00PM |
20/02/2024 14:18:51 | | General Details Edited | Reference Number Generated (ES/1868) |
20/02/2024 14:18:51 | Matt Makin | Status Changed | Decision Scheduled [1] |
23/02/2024 09:24:34 | Matt Makin | General Details Edited | |
23/02/2024 11:15:47 | Matt Makin | General Details Edited | |
23/02/2024 11:17:10 | Matt Makin | Meeting Deleted | 05/03/2024 6:00PM |
23/02/2024 11:17:25 | Matt Makin | Status Changed | Pending [0] |
23/02/2024 11:33:06 | Matt Makin | General Details Edited | |
Approval/Comments
No history found.