Decision details

The Chairman of the meeting, was of the opinion that the report of the Director of Frontline Services be considered, in accordance with the provision of section 100(b)4(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstance i.e. To enable the immediate implementation of the proposed scheme on the 24th July.

The Director of Frontline Services presented the report, which sought Cabinet’s approval to introduce a £1 maximum single bus fare for travel between 24^th July 2023 – 3^rd September 2023 (inclusive), for all journeys that start and terminate within the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county boundary. This would apply to all operators currently operating a scheduled service. Subject to the continuation of Welsh Government Bus Funding beyond 24^th July 2023. The report sought approval to delegate authority to the Director of Frontline Services to introduce a £1 maximum single bus fare for travel between 1^st December 2023 – 31^st December 2023 (inclusive), for all journeys that start and terminate within the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county boundary – subject to the outcomes of the School Summer Holidays scheme and available funding, and in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure. Subject to the continuation of Welsh Government Bus Funding beyond 24^th July 2023; andapproval to introduce a 1 year 7-day bus travel pilot scheme for all school and college students that are in receipt of a public bus season ticket to attend school or college between 4^th September 2023 and the end of the respective academic year 2023/24.

The Leader was in support of the recommendations contained within the report and took the opportunity to thank officers for the work undertaken to bring forward the positive report. The Leader advised that the scheme would save residents £1.1M and spoke of the previous scheme agreed by Cabinet for March 2023, which increased patronage by 7% the following month. The Leader advised that there had been some anti-social behaviour during the last bus travel scheme and hoped that the £1 maximum single bus fare fee would alleviate that, as well as making the money go further.

The Leader reminded Members that he had asked officers at a recent Council meeting to consider potential support packages for residents during the cost-of-living crisis and felt that the scheme before Members would be an additional benefit, which could save some families hundreds of pounds for the remainder of the year.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure endorsed the Leader’s comments and spoke of the success of the previous initiative. The Cabinet Member hoped that the scheme would help families have a more financially viable summer by allowing them to travel across RCT and visit its attractions at an affordable cost; and take some pressure off residents during the Christmas period.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication informed Members that the permission of the Presiding Officer would be sought to exempt the matter from call-in, to enable the immediate implementation of the proposed scheme on the 24th July.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.          To note the contentof the report and approvethe proposals to:

(ii)            Introduce a £1 maximum single bus fare for travel between 24^th July 2023 – 3^rd September 2023 (inclusive), for all journeys that start and terminate within the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county boundary. Subject to the continuation of Welsh Government Bus Funding beyond 24^th July 2023.

(iii)          Delegate authority to the Director of Frontline Services tointroduce a £1 maximum single bus fare for travel between 1^st December 2023 – 31^st December 2023 (inclusive), for all journeys that start and terminate within the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county boundary – subject to the outcomes of the School Summer Holidays scheme and available funding, and in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure. Subject to the continuation of Welsh Government Bus Funding beyond 24^th July 2023.

(i)             Introduce a 1 year 7-day bus travel pilot scheme for all post-16 school and college students that will be in receipt of a public bus season ticket to attend school or college between 4^th September 2023 and the end of the respective academic year 2023/24.

2. To review the outcomes of the bus travel schemes during the 2023/24 financial year and seek to develop further bus travel initiatives during the 2024/25 financial year, subject to funding.