Vox pop 2009

Transport Q&A

Over the past year Hinckley and Bosworth and North West Leicestershire Youth Councils have asked over 5600 young people in their areas for their thoughts on transport, some of the questions that follow come from these findings:

• Public transport is accessible
• Buses run at acceptable frequencies, but could be better
• Young people feel that the reliability, safety and frequency of public transport is adequate, but not great
• Young people think the cost of public transport is too high

Q. How would you support young people in getting public transport to be cheaper for young people? Millie, HBYC

(DP) There is money in the budget for providing cheaper transport for young people. DP is happy to have CYCLe run the schemes and will liaise with CYCLe about this (Action).

(IO) There was a voucher scheme last year that had a lower than expected take up. IO reported the following take-up figures:

• Asfordby – 15 (from 58 invited)
• Belvoir – 53 (117)
• Bruntingthorpe – 47 (161)
• Burbage Castle – 9 (24)
• Lutterworth – 21 (48)
• Market Bosworth – 37 (119)

IO also noted that of the vouchers issued only 36% were spent and that 81% of the journeys made were by bus and not Taxis.

Young people commented that they thought the scheme was not very well advertised. Many young people do not read Leicestershire Matters, local Newspapers or visit The Jitty. Millie suggested that the council consider advertising through schools in the future.

Young people also suggested that the time the vouchers were available might have affected their use – during school term or holidays?

Overall, young people would like cheaper transport across the board without having to worry about vouchers.

Q. Why does an adult fare come into play at the age of 16 when you’re not legally an adult? How can the council help us to change this to 18? Joshua, HBYC

DP does not know why this is the case and said he will look into this and work with CYCLe (Action). DP stated that LCC is not a Passenger Transport Authority and so they do not have power over the transport services.

Q. Can the Council subsidise bus companies rather than issuing vouchers?

DP does not know how much that would cost but will ask someone to look into it (Action); however there is a lot of pressure on the Council to reduce costs.

DW remarked that it is interesting to compare the transport systems in other nations and compare them to our own. Some countries in the EU offer free transport to young people.

Q. There is a tool to report bad behaviour on buses however the advertising at the moment is focused on reporting young people’s behaviour. How can you widen the advertising to let young people know they can use this system to report poor services and dangerous bus drivers? Nicki, MYC

DP said that it should be possible for any busses working for the Council to display an advert about the reporting tool (Action). He also offered to look into any specific reports given to his office.

Millie commented that the current tool could be rewritten, as it’s not very user friendly and the examples used on the form lean toward young people’s behaviour. DP agreed this should change (Action).

Q. A group of young travellers near cost-a-lot have 2 housing estates near each other. They are on a busy 60-limit road on a sharp bend. Children often play near the road, as there is nowhere else to play. They would like the road to be changed to a 30 limit like it would be in a village or town. How can you help us make this possible? Can this be looked at for all sites? Amy, HBYC

DP agreed that this could be looked at and said that he will put his director of highways onto this on Monday. (Action)

Q. How can you support the implementation of new bus routes for rural areas? For example, Broughton Astley to Fosse Park (currently via Leicester Town). Zack, HYC

DP said that the Council can look into these routes with the young people groups and would be willing to support the campaigns.

IO said he was meeting with the chair of Harborough Borough Council soon and would raise this issue at the meeting (Action)

Q. Can you explain why 2 buses doing the same route have different charges? Dariusz, NWLYC

The panel could not explain this. DP offered to ask IO have a look if he’s given the specific details (Action).

Q. Can the Council become a Passenger Transport Authority?

(DP) Yes we can through a public campaign.

Q. Is there a reason why bus companies are choosing 16 for adult fares? Can the Council look into this?

DP said that CYCLe could ask the bus companies about this and feedback to the Council (Action).

Q. Why are school buses not free for further education (16+)?

DP explained that there are two different funding bodies for pre and post-16 education. Currently the Council does not fund 16-18 education, however from 2010 this may change and then the Council will reconsider 16-18 education transport.