Agenda item - Investing in subsidised bus travel

1)             Cabinet notes the progress of negotiations on concessionary fares payments with bus operators and agrees to the payment of the fixed deals as set out in Part 2 of this report.

2)             Cabinet confirms the delegated authority granted to the Corporate Director City Operations on 20 March 2025 to conduct and conclude negotiations with all bus operators for the reimbursement of concessionary fares so that expenditure is less than would be otherwise be calculated using the new DfT Calculator.

185.1   Cabinet considered a report that provided an update on negotiations with bus operators in the city for fixed deals to cover the cost of concessionary fare journeys made by eligible older persons and disabled concessionary pass holders for 2026-27. The Council is investing an additional £1.5m in providing free bus travel to aged and disabled bus pass holders. This includes free bus travel outside of the statutory minimum hours of the scheme.

185.2   Councillor Williams contributed to the debate of the report.

185.3   Resolved-

1)             Cabinet notes the progress of negotiations on concessionary fares payments with bus operators and agrees to the payment of the fixed deals as set out in Part 2 of this report.

2)             Cabinet confirms the delegated authority granted to the Corporate Director City Operations on 20 March 2025 to conduct and conclude negotiations with all bus operators for the reimbursement of concessionary fares so that expenditure is less than would be otherwise be calculated using the new DfT Calculator.