Bus service provision

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Campaign for Better Transport

Dear Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,

I am writing to you to request the following information:

1. What was the total net spend for supported bus services in the fiscal year 2018/19?*

2. What was the total net spend for supported bus services in the fiscal year 2009/10?*

*Note: These refer to the Department for Transport’s definition of a supported bus service as: “one where a local transport authority has invited tenders for the operation of a service (not e.g. seats on a bus or subsidised tickets etc), and a contract exists as a result of that tender”. Please, exclude extra sources of funding such as Section 106/developer funding, Community Infrastructure Levy, local authority staffing and publicity, RTPI expenditure and revenue, the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), Local Education Authority funding for home to school transport, NHS-funded non-emergency patient transport, social services transport, voluntary transport and other central and national government grants or income streams.

3. How many and which supported routes have had cuts in services in the fiscal year 2018/19 and (for example loss of weekend or evening services)? Please state if these are partial (the numbered service still runs but on fewer times) or total (the numbered service is completely withdrawn) cuts.

4. How many and which of the previously supported routes have been taken on commercially?

5a. What was the total net spend on free school transport (11-16yr olds in mainstream education) in 2018/19?

5b. How many pupils was this for?

6a. What was the total net spend on free school transport (11-16yr olds in mainstream education) in 2013/14?

6b. How many pupils was this for?

The information provided will be used as part of a national picture of the effect of changes to central Government funding has had on the provision of local bus services. In each case we are only requesting information related to your local authority.

Our work also seeks to promote examples of local authorities that have protected bus services, sometimes in innovative ways. Please do feel free to share any information you feel is relevant on how your council has protected bus services.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Todd

Campaign for Better Transport

Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Bus service provision’ (reference number 04557). Your request was received on the 23/04/19 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

If you have any queries about this request, please contact Information Governance on 01254 585852. Alternatively, our email address is [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email].         

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Apprentice Information Governance Officer
Email: [email address]
01254 222527

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Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

1 Attachment

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Bus Service Provision’ (reference number 04557); Please see our response below. If you have any queries regarding your request for information then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. What was the total net spend for supported bus services in the fiscal year 2018/19?* £30,329

2. What was the total net spend for supported bus services in the fiscal year 2009/10?* £709,088

*Note: These refer to the Department for Transport’s definition of a supported bus service as: “one where a local transport authority has invited tenders for the operation of a service (not e.g. seats on a bus or subsidised tickets etc), and a contract exists as a result of that tender”. Please, exclude extra sources of funding such as Section 106/developer funding, Community Infrastructure Levy, local authority staffing and publicity, RTPI expenditure and revenue, the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), Local Education Authority funding for home to school transport, NHS-funded non-emergency patient transport, social services transport, voluntary transport and other central and national government grants or income streams.

3. How many and which supported routes have had cuts in services in the fiscal year 2018/19 and (for example loss of weekend or evening services)? Please state if these are partial (the numbered service still runs but on fewer times) or total (the numbered service is completely withdrawn) cuts. None

4. How many and which of the previously supported routes have been taken on commercially? None

5a. What was the total net spend on free school transport (11-16yr olds in mainstream education) in 2018/19? Home to School - £180,915, Educ Transport £1,801,881

5b. How many pupils was this for? 188 pupils.

6a. What was the total net spend on free school transport (11-16yr olds in mainstream education) in 2013/14? Home to School - £726,806 Educ Transport £1,660,637

6b. How many pupils was this for? 425 pupils.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request for information and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, G Floor, Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY or email [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]
 
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. 
 
Please find attached our 'have your say' feedback policy. 

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Apprentice Information Governance Officer

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Campaign for Better Transport

Dear Fatima,

Thanks for the information. Could you clarify though the difference between:
a) Home to school transport
b) Education transport?

We asked for free school transport costs for 11-16yrs olds in mainstream education - is that the home to school transport? And is the education transport the total transport budget including for children with special needs?

Many thanks,

Yours sincerely,

Chris Todd

Campaign for Better Transport

Accesstoinformation, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

1 Attachment

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your request for information regarding ‘Bus Service Provision’ (reference number 04557); Please see our response below. If you have any queries regarding your request for information then please don’t hesitate to contact us.

a) Home to school transport - Mainstream transport
b) Education transport? - Mainstream transport inclusive of Special Educational Needs and Disability transport.

We asked for free school transport costs for 11-16yrs olds in mainstream education - is that the home to school transport? Yes

And is the education transport the total transport budget including for children with special needs? Yes

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request for information and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to: Information Governance Manager, Information Governance, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, G Floor, Town Hall, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7DY or email [Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council request email]
 
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. 
 
Please find attached our 'have your say' feedback policy. 

Kind Regards,

Fatima Makken
Apprentice Information Governance Officer

show quoted sections

Campaign for Better Transport

Dear Fatima,

Thanks for the clarification.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Todd

Campaign for Better Transport