Issue - meetings

Option 2: That Cabinet approves the Isle of Wight Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) as detailed within the report in line with ‘Bus Back Better’, the national bus strategy, in preparation of an Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators.

Option 3: That authority is granted to the Director of Neighbourhoods to make the necessary arrangements to formally submit the BSIP to the Government by the end of October 2021, so that it can be used to inform future funding allocations, and to undertake an annual review and minor updating of the BSIP every 12 months.

The Plan was part of a national government initiative and would lead to an Enhanced Partnership with the local bus company, to improve the bus service provided. Southern Vectis had provided a list of items which they believed would increase the public’s use of buses. No detailed discussions had yet been held but some good suggestions had been made. Confirmation was given that there would be no partnership with Southern Vectis that would be detrimental to taxis or the service they provide. Once the Enhanced Partnership was in place there was £3 billion of funding available for which bids could be submitted.

Consideration was given to the report which sought the Cabinet’s approval of the Isle of Wight Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in line with the  national bus strategy, in preparation for an enhanced partnership with local bus operators. Discussion took place regarding the timeliness of the development of a minimum emissions specification to be included within all future tenders to work towards a requirement for zero emission vehicles by 2030. No other comments were made.

RESOLVED:

THAT the proposed recommendations be supported.