Agenda item - Items referred from Council

Items referred from the meeting of Full Council held on 1 February 2018:

(d)      Deputations

(i)            Night Buses, Brighton and Hove

(D)     DEPUTATIONS

(i)            Night Buses, Brighton & Hove

60.1      The Committee considered a deputation referred from the meeting of Full Council held on 1 February 2018 requesting the Council and its partners liaise with Brighton & Hove Bus Company in relation to their recent decision to reduce the provision of night buses in Brighton & Hove.

60.2      The Chair provided the following response:

“The Night Buses are a wholly commercial service run by Brighton & Hove Buses therefore this was a decision for them to make.

The council does work in partnership with the local bus operators and together we have improved facilities for passengers and increased bus patronage. The council is continuing to subsidise all 19 supported bus routes for the next 3 years.

That said, we do regret the withdrawal of any bus service in the city and have discussed this matter with the company.

They have stated that they will keep their decision under review and have committed to an engagement process to collate details of the journeys made by people wanting to use night buses and this is expected to start soon.

It is hoped that the responses will help identify how any gaps in the night bus services, for which there is a demand, can be minimised with some additional journeys potentially taking effect from this June.

The company will also continue to operate its 384 journeys after midnight each week”.

60.3      Councillor Wares stated that the reduction of the provision of night buses would cause many problems particularly for low-income families on shift work and the safety of young people. Councillor Wares asked if the council could publicise the Brighton & Hove Bus Company consultation to assist the response rate that would lead to better consultation information and in turn, better services.

60.4      The Chair confirmed that officers could communicate and publicise the consultation.

60.5      RESOLVED- That the Committee note the deputation.