Agenda item

With reference to article 25 of the minute of the meeting of the Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 23 February, 2010, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which provided an update on the progress of the Community Transport Services within the City which launched on 29 March, 2010.

The report provided an overview of the service provided and highlighted that since the service had commenced, it had grown from carrying 18 passengers in week one to 40 passengers in week 8. The service continued to increase in membership each week with currently 80 members.

In terms of marketing the service, it was advised that prior to the service commencing publicity materials were distributed to GP surgeries and other healthcare surgeries, community centres and sheltered housing complexes. Requests for publicity material regarding the service continues.

With regards feedback, it was advised that to date all feedback had been positive, with many indicating that they would feel isolated without it, primarily due to the high costs of taxi services in Aberdeen, which some pointed out was a barrier to the ability to get out and about. However, the only negative feedback received relates to the operating times of the service. A number of people have said the service would be more beneficial to them if it operated in peak times. Details of the limited teething problems were provided. The views of the Community Transport Steering Group, as well as the Disability Advisory Group were listed wherein it was highlighted that both Groups  had aspiration that the operating period of the service could be extended into peak times and if possible at weekends.

Thereafter, the report advised of the key destinations and provided a route by route analysis wherein it was advised that Route 2  - Northfield / Mastrick / Sheddocksley / Summerhill / ARI / Berryden / Midstocket / Rosemount  had been the busiest to date.

Finally, the report advised of the implications of further growth of the service, wherein it was highlighted that as the service continued to grow, more passengers would be declined whether due to time restrictions or due to capacity issues. It was highlighted that as the service grew and patronage increased there might be a need to review the scheme in the future. The report reminded members that the funding would be reviewed in 2010 to establish whether a community transport scheme would be more cost effective than the current arrangement with regards to bus service 93 (Peterculter/Garthdee/City Centre) which was supported by Aberdeen City Council, Asda and Sainsburys (through development contributions at Garthdee) and served the Lower Deeside area.  On the basis that this service was performing well and continued to grow there would be little benefit of introducing a community transport scheme in its place which would be a less frequent service and would carry far fewer passengers.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee:-

(a)       request officers to report back progress with the Scheme to future meetings of the Committee, by way of bulletin; and

(b)       note the contents of the report.

The Convener moved, seconded by Councillor Yuill moved that the recommendations be approved.

As an amendment, Councillor Adam, seconded by Councillor Hunter, moved:-

That the recommendations be approved, and to request officers to explore all possible options to enable the expansion of the current operating hours of the service.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (12) - the Convener; and Councillors Boulton, Corall, Cormack, Cormie, Grieg, Jaffrey, Milne, Penny, Robertson, Kevin Stewart, and Yuill; for the amendment (3) – Councillors Adam, Crockett, and Hunter.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.