Brighton and Hove bus subsidies back on the agenda

The future of Brighton and Hove’s subsidised bus services is expected to be decided this afternoon (Thursday 12 July).

The Policy and Resources Committee of Brighton and Hove City Council is due to discuss the contracts in a closed session at Hove Town Hall.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Roger French, the managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, is believed to have offered to run some of the services.

And the council is expected to make some concessions too. But part of all of three routes are thought to be still at risk

the number 52 between Ovingdean and the centre of Brighton
the number 75 between Lower Bevendean and Patcham
the number 81 between Goldstone Valley in Hove and the Open Market in Brighton

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “There has been, understandably, some controversy since the council proceeded with a reduction in bus subsidies.

“This was a reduction agreed at budget council which we have now had to implement at a recent Policy and Resources Committee meeting.

“The impact was exacerbated by a government cut in the bus operator subsidy as well as increasing fuel costs.”

Councillor Kitcat added: “We have proceeded with the smallest reduction in subsidies we’ve been able to identify compared to any other council, affecting less than 0.33 per cent of bus passenger journeys in the city.”

Welcomed

Labour said that it welcomed the reviving of axed school bus routes but said that the Greens had not gone far enough.

Last week the opposition Labour group leader Councillor Gill Mitchell and transport spokesman Councillor Alan Robins held a meeting with the bus operator in order to discuss bringing back axed bus services.

It said that a deal was struck for the bus company to bear the risk of running the number 21, 22, 24 and 27 buses.

Under the deal the council would fund the number 52, 74, 75, 81 and 96 buses.

Labour accused Councillor Kitcat of agreeing to retain only the 74 and 96 routes.

Councillor Mitchell said: “The continuation of the school bus services is a victory for common sense and we heartily welcome it but this simply does not go far enough.

“Our recent meeting with the local bus operator ended with an offer from them to continue to run the majority of the threatened services and I immediately called on Councillor Kitcat to fund the remainder that included the school services and number 52 and 81 services.

“The number 52 is the only bus serving Ovingdean that goes straight to the city centre.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Polluting

“For Councillor Kitcat to say that he will not fund it as he wants to stop it from entering North Street makes no sense.

“A low-emission bus running one an hour will be less polluting than Ovingdean residents taking to their cars.”

The council had hoped to save about £230,000 a year under a new contract which is due to start in September.

Mr French has kept a relatively low profile during the debate but the subsidised routes in total are worth more than £900,000 a year jointly to his company and Compass Travel.