Exciting Bus Service Improvement Plan set to be discussed

This dynamic initiative if agreed is set to boost bus patronage levels beyond pre-COVID figures through strategic investments and enhancements across the county's bus network. 

In June 2024, GCC published its second BSIP, outlining a bold vision to revitalise and expand the county's bus services. Supported by funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the years 2023/24 and 2024/25, the plan is overseen by the Enhanced Partnership (EP) Board, which includes representatives from bus operators and GCC as the local transport authority. 

Key highlights of the BSIP 2025/26: 

DfT funding allocation of £8,031,694 made up of: 

·         £4,175,563 in capital funding 

·         £3,303,766 in revenue funding 

·         £458,365 from the Local Authority Bus Service Operators Grant 

·         £94,000 from the Capacity and Capability Grant 

Enhanced partnership and working groups: 

·         The EP Board, along with a Bus Forum for smaller operators, oversees the BSIP delivery. Working groups focus on Marketing and Information, Multi-operator Ticketing, Improving Infrastructure, and Bus Service Provision. 

Significant investments in bus services: 

·         The BSIP outlines several key investments, including: 

·         Enhancements to town services in Cirencester and the link with Stroud 

·         Frequency improvements for the Newent area 'Daffodil' bus service 232 and the 801 on Sundays 

·         Extension of the park and ride service from Arle Court to run on a Sunday 

·         Expansion of the NHS-funded bus service 99 on weekends 

·         Upgrades to existing GCC-funded contracts and services 

Major capital improvements: 

·         The plan includes significant capital investments to improve bus service quality and infrastructure, such as: 

·         Electric Vehicle Retrofits for mid-life diesel buses 

·         Upgrades to roadside information displays and real-time information systems 

·         Implementation of tap-on tap-off hardware for multi-operator ticketing 

·         Audio-visual upgrades for older vehicles 

·         Bus priority improvements in Cheltenham and Gloucester 

Vibrant promotion and awareness campaigns: 

·         GCC will launch public transport promotional campaigns, develop a digital bus service network map, and design new roadside displays to encourage more passengers to use bus services. 

Cllr Stephen Davies, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We are incredibly excited about the transformative potential of our Bus Service Improvement Plan. This ambitious plan will not only enhance the quality and reliability of bus services across Gloucestershire but also encourage more residents to choose public transport, contributing to a greener and more connected county." 

GCC is required to submit a detailed BSIP Delivery Plan to the DfT by March 31, 2025. This plan will outline the investment programme for bus services and infrastructure for the 2025/26 financial year. Quarterly monitoring reports will ensure transparency and accountability in delivering the outlined improvements.