The Public Transport Manager introduced the report to the committee during which he highlighted the following points;

•           The budget had reduced from £835,000 in 2008/09 to £245,000 in the current financial year, and that this level of funding does not provide a service for all communities or at a frequency that users consider acceptable

•           Without financial support it is unlikely that areas such as Fobbing, East and West Tilbury, Bulphan and Horndon on the Hill would have any bus services.

•           A consultation is currently being undertaken with users of the three supported services which will run until 10 September 2015.

The Chair informed the Committee that three members of the public and Councillor Stewart were present at the meeting to ask a question or make a statement; he also informed the Committee that three written statements had been circulated to the Committee from Amber Coaches, Carol Rintoul a member of the public and Thurrock Coalition.

Mike Tarbard was welcomed to speak to the Committee and in doing so he highlighted the following points to the Committee;

•           That access was denied to Basildon Hospital, libraries, dentists, opticians and shops and students would not be able to get to college or reach recreational places because there would be no weekend service.

•           It was stated how the 11 bus route was covered by other current bus routes and that the 374 bus route was not.

•           That the council should reconsider the decision made on the grounds of total isolation of Horndon-on-the-Hill.

Gary O’Brien was welcomed to speak to the Committee and he raised the following points;

•           The difference between the two bus routes 11 and 374.

•           Results of a Survey of passenger movements on 374 Bus between Corringham Social Club and The Five Bells Roundabout both outgoing and incoming.

•           A Survey of passengers using the 374 through Fobbing.

•           Observations on how bad the Road Safety and Health and Safety for those who are forced to walk from Fobbing to either the Five Bells or The Corringham Club to Board or Alight any bus.

•           Ongoing Report and Survey of Thurrock Bus 374 prior and after 2 May 2015.

Tony Davis was welcomed to speak to the Committee he covered the following points;

•           Many residents have lost their ability to go out and socialise with friends and family, loss of social contact could lead to depression and anxiety. 

•           That the impact of the loss of the bus was in no way confined to the elderly age group and that some younger people also do not have a car and must use a bus to go to work, to school or to college.

•           On May 2 the bus was removed without any consultation, It was felt that if Thurrock Council held a consultation 8 weeks ago it would had prevented the current situation.

•           On behalf of the residents Tony Davis provided Report and Survey findings to the Committee which states why the bus should be reinstated to run through Fobbing and requested that the council investigate the possibilities of the reinstatement of the 374 bus.

Councillor Stewart was welcomed to the Committee to make her statement and ask her question, in doing so she highlighted the following points;

•           That the Planning and Transport Officers gave the highest of priorities to the 374 route as being the most necessary bus service to preserve but it was the number 11 that was given the lowest priority because its route was covered by other bus services.

•           The reason given for keeping the number 11 service was due to necessary access to health centres, yet to date, no research had been completed to substantiate that claim.

•           Councillor Stewart felt it would have been fairer to ensure access for all residents across Thurrock to hospitals and health centres rather than just some. As the average age of residents in Fobbing is close to 50 and over a quarter of residents are over 65.

•           The Village had no local convenience store or shops and left elderly residents with up to a 3 mile round walk which included a hill just to get a pint of milk or loaf of bread or to catch a bus.

Councillor Stewart asked the Chair of the Committee and the Members to review and thoroughly scrutinise this unsound decision to remove the vital bus route through Fobbing, basing its findings on accurate research and invited the Committee and Portfolio Holder on a site visit.

The Chair of the committee accepted the invitation; the Democratic Services Officer agreed to arrange a site visit.

Councillor Kerin said he would like to see an objective measurable way to address the priority of the bus services. It was also suggested that the Planning and Transport Officers look at sourcing other funding internally from Adult Social Care and Education.

Peter Newman the Chairman of Ensign Buses explained to the Committee that they previously operated the 374 bus route. Peter Newman suggested two short term solutions for Horndon on the Hill and Fobbing:

•           That the number 11 bus route stops in Horndon on the Hill and then goes onto Basildon.

•           He recommended that Officers talk with First Buses who run the number 100 bus route and enquire as to whether they could run one bus an hour through to Fobbing.

•           He believed the old 374 service was nearly viable as a commercial route.

The Chair of the Committee requested that Peter Newman’s comments were included in the consultation with other operators.

RESOLVED:

1.         To note that the Committee considered appropriate local bus budget to ensure access to employment, healthcare, education, shopping and leisure facilities, enabling residents to live independently, minimising the cost of services provided by the local authority.

2.        To note that the Committee considered alternative ways of providing communities with the transport services required.