Meeting documents

To consider any other business raised by the Chair.

A question about access and bus parking at the Taunton railway station during its refurbishment was raised; it was reassured that the current situation is temporary and that new access with shortly be provided. 

The issue of marketing was again raised, with it being noted that there have been extensive timetable changes which have not been communicated to users; also, the recovery level of bus users is at only two-thirds of what it was pre-Covid with many lapsed users, yet there have been no significant marketing initiatives regarding them.  It is true that finances are tight, but promotion is needed to recover passengers.  The Somerset Bus Partnership is suggesting a return in major towns to the Catch the Bus initiative which ended in 2019; the Partnership hopes that SCC and bus operators will support it, as it will make users aware of timetable changes.  It was agreed that good marketing is essential, and the SCC Comms department will be asked to work with the Somerset Bus Partnership on this matter.  It was added that changes to timetables will be made as of 6^th June and that these changes will be available on the First Group’s website, as well as there being a downloadable timetable from Buses of Somerset.  With respect to the return of passengers, the recovery rate for students is 100%, leisure users is 100%, commuters is 70%, while ENCTS cardholders is at only two-thirds.  Dialogue is underway with the public transport team for Somerset regarding a county-wide timetable book with routes from all operators included; the BSIP response from the DfT is being awaited before a marketing campaign can be started for Taunton Transformational Bus Town.

First Group was thanked for all their work, but concern was again expressed that timetables at bus stops were not being updated.  It was asked if bus user groups could help in any way, especially with respect to marking stops that are no longer in use, as there had been many complaints in Yeovil.  It was opined that the positivity of changes in service needed to be pushed, that marketing is the responsibility of everyone, and SCC needed to be involved with the campaign taking place elsewhere that was focused on concessionary users.  Timetables need to be printed and some mailed out.  Another issue raised was the disparity in the quality of bus stops and shelters across Somerset, with Mendip really needing improvement; it was responded that active work is occurring on this and on other assets.

It was again expressed that there should be a ticket covering all services in the area, that coordination is needed in marketing efforts, that buses should be heavily marketed in the summer, and that the problems in Mendip should be discussed with the Mayor of the West of England.  It was replied that integrated ticketing is being worked on and it will be picked up by the BSIP, while roadside assets will be replaced in time for the service changes.  With respect to the West of England, matters are constrained by the BSIP and the limits of funding; it needs to be understood why most of the funding will be used for work in Taunton Town, and that this can lead to further funding for Somerset.