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ITEM EX14E - ANNEX 1

EXECUTIVE – 14 MAY 2002

BUS SUBSIDIES

INFORMATION ON SERVICES

SECTION A – REVIEW OF SUBSIDISED SERVICES IN OXFORD AND ABINGDON AREAS

This Annex gives background information on services under review in these areas. Unless the Executive decides otherwise, all are being considered for full four-year contracts that will end on 1 July 2006.

Contract Ref. PT/O1

Service Description – An evening and Sunday service for the "Oxford City Circle" route, serving Oxford Rail Station, City Centre, Banbury Road, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Wood Farm, Cowley, Cowley Road, City Centre and Rail Station, both clockwise and anti-clockwise.

The service is paralleled by frequent services 1 and 5 between Oxford City Centre and Cowley "The Swan"; and by frequent services 2 and 7A between Oxford City Centre and Banbury Road/Marston Ferry Road. There are also frequent direct services between Oxford City Centre and Wood Farm (15); between Oxford City Centre and Headington (Windmill Road) (2 and 7A); and between Oxford City Centre, New Marston and John Radcliffe Hospital (13/A/B/C). However, services 10C/10D are the only ones, at the relevant times, providing a direct link between Cowley and Marston Ferry Road via Wood Farm, Headington and the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Operated by – Oxford Bus Company services 10C/10D.
Current subsidy – (Monday to Saturday) £138.50/day (£42233/year).
(Sunday and Bank Holidays) £416.00/day (£23966/year).
Average passengers per day – 448.
Cost per passenger journey – £0.41.
Local councils served – 1 (Oxford City Council), who have written supporting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, East Area Committee) – "Did not favour proposal that successful operator should not be required to accept other operators’ tickets."

(Oxford City Council, North Area Committee) – "10C/10D service is vital; should really be half-hourly as before but a reliable hourly service is needed. What would be cost or inconvenience to passengers if Stagecoach tickets were not accepted?"

Prices sought for –

PT/O1A – 2 journeys per hour in each direction (increased level of service).
PT/O1B – 1 journey per hour in each direction (present level of service).
PT/O1C – 1 journey per hour between John Radcliffe Hospital and Cowley Centre only (reduced level of service).

Contract Ref. PT/O2

Service Description – A Monday to Saturday daytime (peak and off-peak) service between Oxford City Centre, Jericho (Canal Street) and Bainton Road.

There are no other services to Jericho (Canal Street) or Bainton Road areas, and no other daytime Monday to Saturday services to Jericho (Walton Street and Kingston Road). Oxford Bus Company service 6A (contract PT/O9 q.v., also under review at this time) provides a service to Walton Street and Kingston Road during Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays.

Operated by – Thames Travel, service X39 (part).
Current subsidy – £125.13/day (£38156/year).
Average passengers per day – 161.
Cost per passenger journey – £0.77.
Local councils served – 1 (Oxford City Council), who have written supporting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, North Area Committee) – "Service to Castle Street favoured; there were complaints when service did not go there. Rail station should be included too if it would not affect the cost significantly."

(City Councillor Susanna Pressel) – "Elderly people would not want the service to terminate in Magdalen Street, even if that enabled the service to run every 30 minutes."

Special note – Letters have also been received from 7 individuals, living in the Bainton Road area, expressing concern at a perceived threat to the service because of inconsiderate car parking in Bainton Road. Arrangements have been made for a temporary traffic order, which should allay these concerns.

Prices sought for –

PT/O2A – Oxford City Centre, Jericho, Bainton Road and Cutteslowe every 30 minutes (increased level of service and extended route).
PT/O2B – As above every 60 minutes (present level of service with extended route).
PT/O2C – Oxford City Centre, Jericho and Bainton Road every 60 minutes (present level of service with present route).

Award of PT/O2A or PT/O2B would permit withdrawal of the Cutteslowe end of taxi-bus service 7B (contract PT/O6, q.v.).

All of these options are designed to permit continued operation of the service as an extension to service X39, as at present, if so required.

Contract Ref. PT/O3

Service Description – Wednesday and Friday shoppers’ services from Lye Valley and Iffley Village to Cowley Centre, and from Southfield Park Flats to Oxford City Centre.

There are no other services to Lye Valley, Iffley Village or Southfield Park Flats.

Operated by – Chiltern Queens, service 17A/17B/17C.
Current subsidy – £76.75/day (£7867/year).
Average passengers per day – 58.
Cost per passenger journey – £1.32.
Local councils served – 1 (Oxford City Council), who have written supporting continuation.
Prices sought for – Embodied in PT/S19 (q.v.).

Contract Ref. PT/O6

Service Description – Monday to Saturday hourly (peak and off-peak) circular taxi-bus service between Oxford City Centre, Cutteslowe, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington Quarry and Oxford City Centre (clockwise service only).

There are no other services to Cutteslowe (Wren Road) or Headington Quarry areas. Frequent alternative services link Banbury Road (for Cutteslowe) and London Road (for Headington Quarry) to Oxford City Centre, involving a walk of up to ½ mile in some cases.

Operated by – Oxford Contract Vehicles (001 Taxis), service 7B.
Current subsidy – £109.02/day (£33243/year).
Average passengers per day – 40.
Cost per passenger journey – £2.71.
Local councils served – 1 (Oxford City Council), who have written supporting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, North Area Committee) – "Service would be much more useful if it was between Cutteslowe and the City Centre."

(Oxford City Council, North-East Area Committee) – "Would like to see 7B service extended to Quarry village, and if possible an increased frequency."

Prices sought for –

PT/O6A – Hourly service between Headington Quarry, City Centre and Cutteslowe (similar to present level of service but a more convenient route which has been requested by users).
PT/O6B – Hourly service between Headington Quarry and City Centre only. (If this option is selected, Cutteslowe could be served by either PT/O2A or PT/O2B).

Optional additional features:

1. To extend the route in the Headington Quarry area to serve Quarry High Street, Beaumont Road and Quarry Hollow.
2. To divert at least one off-peak journey every two hours in each direction to serve Marston Estate (Arlington Drive). (Applicable to PT/O6B only).

  Contract Ref. PT/O8

Service Description – Monday to Saturday hourly (peak and off-peak) service between Oxford City Centre, Marston Village and John Radcliffe Hospital.

There are no other services to Marston Village or to Marsh Lane, New Marston. Frequent services 13/13A/13B link Oxford City Centre to New Marston (Oxford Road, Cherwell Drive and Headley Way) and the John Radcliffe Hospital, operating all day including Sundays.

Operated by – Oxford Bus Company, service 13C.
Current subsidy – £121.32/day (£36994/year).
Average passengers per day – 372.
Cost per passenger journey – £0.33.
Local councils served – 2 (Oxford City Council and Old Marston Parish Council), both of whom have written supporting continuation.

(Old Marston Parish Council) – "At least an hourly service is needed for this distant outpost of Oxford City. This is only bus route for residents to north of Cherwell Drive to John Radcliffe Hospital, otherwise a long walk or change of bus would be required. Service also needed to Marsh Lane."

Prices sought for –

PT/O8A – Hourly daytime service without breaks (enhanced level of service).
PT/O8B – Existing level of service (hourly with one journey in each direction allowed to be omitted).

Optional additional feature: To divert all journeys via Marston Estate (Arlington Drive) (see also PT/O6).

Contract Ref. PT/O9

Service Description – Evening and Sunday service between Oxford City Centre, Jericho (certain journeys only), Woodstock Road and Wolvercote.

There are no other evening or Sunday services on this route. Monday to Saturday daytime services are provided by Oxford Bus Company 6/6B (from Wolvercote) and by Thames Travel X39 (contract PT/O2 q.v., also under review at this time) (from Jericho).

Operated by – Oxford Bus Company, service 6/6A.
Current subsidy – (Monday to Saturday evenings) £31.00/day (£9453/year).
(Sunday) £85.00/day (£4897/year).
Average passengers per day – (Monday to Saturday evenings) 213; (Sundays) 260.
Cost per passenger journey – (Monday to Saturday evenings) £0.15; (Sundays) £0.33.
Local councils served – 1 (Oxford City Council), who have written supporting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, North Area Committee) – "20-minute frequency well worth retaining."

Prices sought for –

PT/O9A – Existing level of service (20 minute frequency);

PT/O9B – Reduced level of service (30 minute frequency). Contract Ref. PT/O10

Service Description – Evening and Sunday service between Oxford City Centre, Donnington Bridge, Florence Park, Cowley Centre and Minchery Farm.

There are no other bus services to Weirs Lane, Donnington Bridge Road, Florence Park, or Minchery Farm. Frequent alternative services, including evenings and Sundays, operate from Oxford City Centre to Abingdon Road (31, 32, 35/35A, X3); to Iffley Road (3, 4/4A/4C); to Cowley Centre (1, 5); and to Littlemore (105, Monday to Saturday daytimes only).

Operated by – Oxford Bus Company, service 16.
Current subsidy – (Monday to Saturday evenings) £29.00/day (£8843/year).
(Sundays) £84.00/day (£4839/year).
Average passengers per day – (Monday to Saturday evenings) 85; (Sundays) 286.Cost per passenger journey – (Monday to Saturday evenings) £0.34; (Sundays) £0.29; overall £0.32.
Local councils served – 2 (Oxford City Council and Littlemore Parish Council). Oxford City Council have written supporting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, South and West Area Committee) – "Considerable benefit if service could be increased to half hourly by pairing it, as suggested, with services 6/6A during evenings." (Note that this request conflicts with one from North Area Committee).

(Councillor McIntosh-Stedman) "Extremely concerned that there is only one hourly bus service along Sandford Road past Littlemore Hospital. Concern for hospital workers and visitors during day and evening. I hope that you will work towards improving bus service as soon as possible please."

(Councillor Karmali) – "Would very much support proposal that frequency of this service on weekday evenings and Sundays could be increased to half hourly by pairing it with 6/6A services to Wolvercote."

Prices sought for –

PT/O10A – Higher level of service (30 minute frequency).
PT/O10B – Existing level of service (60 minute frequency).

Optional additional feature – To extend or divert at least one journey an hour to serve Littlemore Hospital. (Request from Councillor McIntosh-Stedman).

Contract Ref. PT/O14

Service Description – Evening and Sunday service between Oxford City Centre, Cowley, Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys. There is no existing evening and Sunday service between these points. Frequent alternative evening and Sunday services run between Oxford City Centre, Cowley Centre and Blackbird Leys (with a walking distance of up to ½ mile between Blackbird Leys and most parts of Greater Leys).

Operated by – No present service. (Monday to Saturday daytime service is operated by Oxford Bus Company, services 5A/5B).
Current subsidy – )
Average passengers per day – ) No present service.
Cost per passenger journey – )
Local councils served – Oxford City Council, Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

(Oxford City Council, Blackbird Leys Iffley & Littlemore Area Committee) – "Would ask that consideration be given to subsidising provision of evening and Sunday services on 5A/5B service."

Prices sought for –

PT/O14 – Hourly evening and Sunday circular service, with alternate clockwise and anti-clockwise journeys (i.e. a bus every two hours in each direction).

Optional additional feature – To divert all journeys to serve Cowley Retail Park (Tesco) during Tesco opening hours when this service is operating (i.e. 1900 to 2300 Monday to Friday, 1900 to 2200 Saturday, also 1000 to 1600 on Sunday).

Contract Ref. PT/S19

Service Description – Wednesday and Friday shoppers’ service from Berinsfield, The Baldons and Kings Copse to Cowley Centre and Oxford City Centre; from Lye Valley and Iffley Village to Cowley Centre; and from Southfield Park Flats to Oxford City Centre. (Note that this proposed contract combines existing subsidy contracts PT/O3 (services 17A/17B/17C) and PT/S19 (service 49).

There are no other services to Marsh Baldon, Toot Baldon or Kings Copse. Thames Travel service 105 provides an hourly link between all parts of Berinsfield and Oxford City Centre via Iffley Road, but does not serve Cowley Centre. For details of other parts of this contract, please see entry for contract PT/O3.

Operated by – (Berinsfield to Oxford route) Weavaway Travel, service 49.
(Other routes) Chiltern Queens, service 17A/17B/17C.
Current subsidy – (contract PT/O3) £76.75/day (£7867/year).
(contract PT/S19) £75.00/day (£7687/year).
Average passengers per day – (contract PT/O3) 58; (contract PT/S19) 33.
Cost per passenger journey – (contract PT/O3) £1.32; (contract PT/S19) £2.27; overall £1.67.
Local councils served – 4, of which 3 have written requesting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, East Area Committee) – "Consider that this service should continue at least to present levels and that a service should also be provided on Saturdays."

(Berinsfield Parish Council) – "If not possible to retain service in present form, we would like it to run on one day a week, preferably Fridays."

Prices sought for –

PT/S19A – Monday to Saturday service (higher than present level).
PT/S19B – Wednesday, Friday and Saturday service (higher than present level).
PT/S19C – Wednesday and Friday service (present level).

Optional additional feature – To re-route Iffley Village journeys to serve Rose Hill, Westbury Crescent and Herschel Crescent in addition (meeting outstanding request for Rose Hill and offering an alternative means of serving Herschel Crescent if other arrangements cannot be made).

Contract Ref. PT/V1

Service Description – Abingdon Town Service, Monday to Friday shoppers’ circular service to and from Abingdon Town Centre via Evelin Road, Northcourt Road and Appleford Drive; and via Marcham Hospital and Caldecott Road.

There are no other services to Larkhill Road, Evelin Road, Northcourt Road, Selwood Road, South Avenue, West Avenue, North Avenue or Appleford Drive; or to Blackhall Road, Caldecott Road or St Helens Wharf. There are regular hourly or more frequent services between Abingdon Town Centre and Faringdon Road (4); Wootton Road (X30 and 44, both of which are subject to review at this time); Oxford Road (31, 32, X3); Marcham Road (for Marcham Hospital) (31); and Preston Road and Saxton Road (44).

Operated by – White’s Coaches, services 6A/6B.
Current subsidy – £67.50/day (£17090/year).
Average passengers per day – 102.
Cost per passenger journey – £0.66.
Local councils served – 1 (Abingdon Town Council), who have written supporting continuation. Letter of support also received from Vale of White Horse District Council.

(Vale of White Horse District Council) – "Because of times of operation, town services do not cater for travel to work journeys. Routes currently operated do not provide links to attractions or facilities on or near peripheral road. Absence of service along Audlett Drive is particular shortcoming in the network. Buses from residential areas should ideally reach employment area around Colwell Drive by 0800 and Abingdon & Witney College and Town Centre by 0900. If an additional bus were to be contemplated we could develop two figure of eight loop services."

(Councillor Lesley Legge) – "Very important that the new Leisure Centre and the Abbey Centre have a regular bus service."

Prices sought for -

PT/V1A – Wider coverage with reduced (hourly) frequency, including extra circular service via Dunmore Road, Peachcroft Estate and Audlett Drive (meeting request for a service to the Leisure Centre at Audlett Drive).
PT/V1B – Present level of service, reduced coverage with present (40-45 minute) frequency.

Optional additional feature (with Option PT/V1A only) To operate additional peak journeys reaching Abingdon Town Centre by 0840, and leaving Abingdon Town Centre at or after 1640 and 1740 respectively.

Contract Ref. PT/V2

Service Description – Mondays to Saturdays hourly peak and off-peak service between Oxford City Centre and Abingdon Town Centre, via Bagley Wood, Peachcroft Estate and Dunmore Road.

There are no other services to Bagley Wood, Peachcroft Estate or Dunmore Road. There are regular services between Oxford City Centre and Abingdon Road (16, 31, 32, 35/35A and X3); between Peachcroft Roundabout and Abingdon Town Centre (31, 32 and X3); and between Wootton Road and Abingdon Town Centre (44, which is subject to review at this time).

Operated by – White’s Coaches, service X30.
Current subsidy – £100/day (£30493/year).
Average passengers per day – 122.
Cost per passenger journey – £0.82.
Local councils served – 6, of which 2 have written requesting continuation.

(Dr Evan Harris MP) – "Could possibility of evening service be reopened in the review?"

Prices sought for –

PT/V2A – Present level of service.

Optional additional feature (with Option PT/V2A only) To operate additional evening journeys with last departures 2300 (from Abingdon) and 2330 (from Oxford).

PT/V2B – Peak service between Abingdon and Oxford via present route; off-peak service between Abingdon Town Centre, Dunmore Road and Peachcroft Estate.

Optional additional feature (with Option PT/V2B only) To extend all journeys on off-peak service to serve Abingdon, Preston Road.

Contract Ref. PT/V4

Service Description – Additional journeys between Oxford City Centre, Cumnor, Wootton and Abingdon, to supplement present commercial service 4 operated by Oxford Bus Company.

This service operates at present at an hourly frequency, serving all points specified for the proposed enhancement. The frequency would be increased to a bus every 30 minutes if a contract for this enhancement was awarded.

Operated by – No service at present (see above).
Current subsidy – )
Average passengers per day – ) No service at present.
Cost per passenger journey – )
Local councils served – 6, of which 1 has written requesting this enhancement.

(Wootton Parish Council) – "Request County Council to require Oxford Bus Company to restore the 4/4B service between Rose Hill, Cumnor, Wootton and Abingdon, which was savagely axed on 15 October 2000, as soon as possible."

Prices sought for –

PT/V4 – Additional journeys to increase Monday to Saturday daytime frequency to approximately half-hourly, with option to combine with Education contract 1115 (see body of report).

Contract Ref. PT/V6

Service Description – Monday and Friday shoppers’ service between Eaton (Turn), Appleton, Longworth, Southmoor, Tubney, Gozzards Ford, Dry Sandford and Abingdon.

There are no other services to Tubney, Gozzards Ford, Cothill and Dry Sandford. Regular services to other destinations operate from Longworth, Appleton and Eaton (Turn) (service 63 to Oxford and Faringdon); and from Southmoor (services 63 and 66, to Oxford, Faringdon and Swindon). There is an hourly daytime service between Wootton and Abingdon (4).

Operated by – Heyfordian Travel, service 115.
Current subsidy – £82.30/day (£8071/year), combined with PT/V8 (q.v.).
Average passengers per day – 11.
Cost per passenger journey – £3.05 (with PT/V8).
Local councils served – 9, of which 4 have written requesting continuation.

(Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Parish Council) – "If it is necessary to restrict the service to once a week, the Friday service should be retained as there is a Tesco’s bus on Mondays. Petition received signed by 31 residents asking that present route and timetable be retained."

(St Helen Without Parish Council) – "Service is already so minimal that we stress need to at least retain what is already provided, especially Friday service. Plead for more modern vehicles to be used – elderly residents have great difficulty managing the steep steps of older vehicles."

Prices sought for –

PT/V6A – Monday and Friday service between Longworth and Abingdon (present level of service, but without little-used 1200 journey from Abingdon to Gozzards Ford).
PT/V6B – Friday service only (reduced level of service).

Optional additional features: -

1. To serve Eaton (Turn) and Appleton in addition on all Longworth journeys.
2. To operate a journey between Abingdon and Gozzards Ford in similar timings to the 1200.

Contract Ref. PT/V8

Service Description – Monday and Friday shoppers’ service between Boars Hill, Bayworth, Sunningwell and Abingdon.

All settlements on this route are linked at other times to Oxford and Abingdon (Stagecoach South Midlands service 44, which is subject to review at this time). A re-timing of the latter service as requested by Sunningwell Parish Council could satisfactorily replace this service.

Operated by – Heyfordian Travel, service 115.
Current subsidy – £82.30/day (£8071/year), combined with PT/V6 (q.v.).
Average passengers per day – 16.
Cost per passenger journey – £3.05 (with PT/V6).
Local councils served – 4. Abingdon Town Council has written supporting continuation; Sunningwell Parish Council has suggested replacing it by a diversion of the 0825 journey on service 44 via Sunningwell.

Prices sought for –

PT/V8A – Monday and Friday service (present level of service).
PT/V8B – Friday service only (reduced level of service).

Contract Ref. PT/V103

Service Description – Monday to Saturday peak and off-peak service between Oxford – Boars Hill – Abingdon – Milton Heights – Didcot. Presently operated in two sections – service 33 (Oxford – Abingdon – Milton Heights – Didcot) and 44 (Oxford – Boars Hill – Abingdon, with peak journeys extended to and from Didcot).

There are no other services to South Hinksey Village, Boars Hill, Bayworth, Sunningwell, Abingdon (Preston Road), Sutton Courtenay (Bradstocks Way) or Milton Heights. There are regular services between Oxford City Centre and North Hinksey (4/4A); Hinksey Hill (X30, subject to review at this time) and Wootton (4); between Wootton and Abingdon (4); and between Oxford City Centre, Abingdon Town Centre, Drayton, Sutton Courtenay (Triangle), Rowstock Corner, Harwell and Didcot (32/32A/32B).

Operated by – Stagecoach South Midlands, services 33/44.
Current subsidy – £619.12/day (£188,788/year).
Average passengers per day – 265.
Cost per passenger journey – £2.34.
Local councils served – 12, of which 4 (plus Vale of White Horse District Council) have written supporting continuation.

(South Hinksey Parish Council) – "Last bus from Oxford could be 1830, following requests from some parishioners."

(Sunningwell Parish Council) – "If 0825 were diverted via Bayworth and Sunningwell it would give more time for shopping and health appointments, and would eliminate need for Heyfordian 114 service on Monday and Friday mornings. Would ask for a later bus into Oxford for evening occasions."

(Vale of White Horse District Council) – "Boars Hill service’s relatively early last departure from Oxford does not encourage use by people working in Oxford; a later last departure time from Oxford should be considered."

(Councillor MacKenzie) – "Concerned about service to Bradstocks Way and Milton Heights. These places must be served!"

Prices sought for –

PT/V103 – Oxford, Boars Hill, Abingdon, Milton Heights and Didcot (present level of service).
PT/V3A – Oxford, Boars Hill and Abingdon only (present level of service over this section).
PT/V3B – Oxford, Boars Hill and Abingdon only (reduced frequency over this section).

Optional additional feature for PT/V103, PT/V3A and PT/V3B only – Later evening journey from Oxford.

PT/V5A – Abingdon, Bradstocks Way, Milton Heights and Harwell IBC (present level of service over this section, but no service to Didcot), with off-peak extension to/from Oxford, Peachcroft Estate and Audlett Drive.
PT/V5B – As above but no off-peak extension.

  Contract Ref. PT/V112

Service Description – Monday to Friday shoppers’ service from Bladon, Cassington, Wytham, Oxford (Lakeside), Oxford (Charlbury Road) to Oxford City Centre.

There are no other services to Cassington (village centre), Wytham, Lakeside or Charlbury Road. There are regular services from Bladon to Witney and Woodstock (42); from Cassington (Turn) (up to ½ mile from village centre) to Oxford (X3); from Wolvercote to Oxford (6/6A/6B); and from all points on Banbury Road to Oxford (2/2A/2B/2C/2D, 7A).

Operated by – McLeans, service 8.
Current subsidy – £48.71/day (£12332/year).
Average passengers per day – 21.
Cost per passenger journey – £2.32.Local councils served – 4, all of whom have written supporting continuation.

(Oxford City Council, North Area Committee) – "We would be very keen if this service could be hourly, at least between 0930 and 1530. Priority would be to combine it with requirements of Cutteslowe." (Letter received on 4 April, after tender invitations had been dispatched).

(Bladon Parish Council) – "Given very poor loading, I do not believe that subsidy should be paid for more than one bus a week."

(Cassington Parish Council) – "People in Eynsham Road now use X3 service or Swanbrooks, but for those in Elms Road and Bell Lane it is about ½ mile to the A40 bus stop, which is a long way to carry shopping. Time factor hinders service 8 – arriving 1000 Oxford, returning 1230, cost of £1.80 for 2½ hours is not very appealing."

(Wytham Parish Council) – "Wytham is a small community in a village owned by Oxford University. We have a village store and Post Office but need transport to Oxford for shops, social contacts, dentists opticians etc. We must hope for service at least three days a week – as we have no other means we would miss the Wednesday service."

Prices sought for –

PT/V112A – Higher level of service, peak and off-peak, Mondays to Fridays.
PT/V112B – Existing level of service, off-peak only, Mondays to Fridays.
PT/V112C – Lower level of service, three days a week to include Wednesdays.

Basic service on all three options excludes Bladon and Charlbury Road sections, on which observed patronage has been minimal.

Optional additional features –

1. To extend all Cassington journeys to serve Bladon.
2. To divert all journeys via Belbroughton Road and Charlbury Road, Oxford.

If this service is not continued, the settlements of Wytham and Godstow would be left completely without public transport.

SECTION B – REVIEW OF SERVICES OPERATED BY THAMES TRAVEL

Contract Ref. PT/S160 – Goring – Wallingford – Benson

Service description: - This route provides a minimum hourly service between Goring and Wallingford via South and North Stoke with an enhanced peak hour frequency (Mon-Fri). Beyond Wallingford (since the 7 Jan 2002) the 132 normally operates in an anti-clockwise direction from Crowmarsh via RAF Benson and Benson village back to Crowmarsh and Wallingford. There are also presently two journeys between Goring Station and Woodcote for schoolchildren on Mondays to Fridays. Certain 132 journeys continue beyond Goring to Streatley, Pangbourne and Reading but these are not part of the Oxfordshire contracted service (they are funded by West Berkshire).

Alternate commercial services are available between Woodcote/Goring and Wallingford on Chiltern Queens service ‘I’ but via an entirely different route following the West bank of the Thames via Moulsford whereas this route serves the East side. Consequently it is the only bus service to Cleeve, South Stoke and North Stoke. North of Wallingford, the commercially operated Thames Travel routes 105 (Peaks) and X39 (off-peak) also serve Crowmarsh, Benson and RAF Benson, currently on an inter-worked basis with the 132 giving broadly a half-hourly frequency during the daytime period. One of the objectives of service 132 is to link RAF Benson with the nearest railhead at Goring. Additional ‘taxibus’ journeys between Wallingford and Watlington/Chalgrove also serve Benson

The current timetable has been developed and refined to meet train users needs over recent years and therefore continuation of the present timetable and level of service is the option preferred by all the consultees. The link is advertised through the National Rail network as part of the ‘journey solutions promotion but off-peak, buses only connect with alternate trains at Goring Station. Additional resources are presently deployed to connect with almost all AM departures and PM arrivals to/from the London direction during the peaks (Mon-Fri).

Current subsidy – £140.27/day (£42,772/year)(est.).
Average passengers per day – 360. (approx. 35% over the Benson – Wallingford section, 65% over the Wallingford to Goring Section)
Cost per passenger journey – £0.40
Local councils served – 6, 3 of whom have requested no change.

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 160A – as present times.
PT/S 160B – reduced peak hour vehicle requirement (M-F) over Wallingford – Goring section

Contract Ref. PT/S161 Service 133 (Wallingford – Ipsden) (Fridays only) Service TB 29 (Wallingford – Woodcote (Mon-Sat)

Service description: The 133 is a Friday only service and consists of one trip between Ipsden Village and Wallingford via Crowmarsh (and return) for shopping. There are also four buses off-peak buses per day at present (Mon-Sat) direct via the A4074 road between Wallingford and Woodcote and these serve the Ipsden village turn.

Woodcote can be reached from Wallingford on the regular commercial Chiltern Queens ‘I’ service but this follows a considerably longer routing via Moulsford and Goring. There is also one Chiltern Queens early morning bus (Mons- Fris) that follows the same route as TB29. The 133 is the only service into Ipsden Village.

Current subsidy – No identified costs (included within other main contracts).
Average passengers per day: 133 – 9, TB 29 - 2.7
Cost per passenger journey – N/A
Local councils served – 3. No comments received

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 161A – Off-peak journeys Mon-Sat Wallingford – Woodcote (some via Ipsden)
PT/S 161B – Wallingford – Ipsden (Fri only)

Contract Ref. PT/S162 Service TB 31 (Wallingford – Benson – Upperton – Brightwell Baldwin – Cuxham – Chalgrove – Roke - Benson – Wallingford (Mon-Fri)

Service description: This taxibus route provides a link between Wallingford and Chalgrove and was originally introduced in 1998. Apart from the journeys for schoolchildren (which are a separate operation and not part of this review), the route has failed to generate any substantial usage, except on a Friday when regular users travel to/from Wallingford (prior to 1998, the villages concerned only had a Friday bus service). Friday loadings have necessitated using a larger capacity vehicle on this service on that day. Presently there are two round trips, off-peak, each day (Mon-Fri),

Chalgrove has an hourly service (Mon-Sat) to both Watlington and Oxford on Thames Travel route 101 (which also serves Cuxham) plus a Tuesday only market bus to Thames (see PT/S 10 below). Benson has regular daily services to Oxford, Wallingford and Goring. This is the only public bus service to Upperton, Brightwell Baldwin, Berrick Salome and Roke.

Current subsidy – No identified costs (included within other main contracts).
Average passengers per day: – 6 (on a Friday) (nil - other days)
Cost per passenger journey – N/A
Local councils served – 9. 1 responded and suggested incorporating in other Friday only market day services in the area

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 162A – Two trips per day (Mon-Fri) – existing level of service
PT/S 162B – Two trips each way, Fridays only.

Contract Ref. PT/S163 Service 131 (West Hagbourne – Blewbury – Aston’s – Moreton’s – Brightwell (The Street) – Wallingford) (Fridays only)

Service description: This Friday only shopper service consists of one journey in each direction. In Brightwell-cum-Sotwell it serves a completely different part of the village to the 130 route.

West Hagbourne currently has a Wednesday only service to/from Didcot comprising of both a morning and afternoon return trip off-peak. East Hagbourne and Blewbury have an hourly OCC subsidised service to/from Didcot (Mon-Sat). The Aston’s and Moreton’s are served by the newly introduced shuttle service to Didcot (Mon-Sat) which also provides a link to/from Wallingford off-peak on the other days of the week (i.e. Mon-Thurs) when the 131 does not operate.

Current subsidy – No identified costs (included within other main contracts).
Average passengers per day: 10
Cost per passenger journey – N/A
Local councils served – 8, 3 supported continuation

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 163 – One journey each way, Fridays only.

Contract Ref. PT/S164 Service 137 (Goring Station – Wallingford – Benson – Dorchester – Abingdon (Sundays)

Service description: - A two hourly frequency on the above route during the daytime period on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Goring is also served by the summer only Ridgeway Explorer service (Reading – Goring – Wantage – Swindon) every three hours. Wallingford and Dorchester have a two-hourly daytime service on route X39 (Henley – Wallingford – Dorchester – Oxford and the X39/137 are timed to connect in Dorchester. Abingdon has services to Oxford, Didcot and Wantage. For all the other places, this is the only bus service on this day of the week.

Current subsidy – £179.49/day £9,657/year.
Average passengers per day: 62
Cost per passenger journey – £2.89
Local councils served – 11, 3 supported continuation

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 164 - Existing service, every two hours

Service 130 (Didcot – Brightwell – Wallingford)(Mon-Sat)

Service description: This route provides broadly an hourly service throughout the day between Didcot and Wallingford via Brightwell (Greenmere). Off peak buses divert into Didcot (Tesco) and are extended within Didcot from the station to/from The Oval. One journey morning and afternoon serves Didcot Girls’ School on schooldays only.

Wallingford is the centre of a network of services to Henley, Goring, Reading via Woodcote, Reading via Pangbourne, Abingdon, Oxford, Benson/RAF Benson and Watlington. Didcot similarly has direct services to the Moreton’s & Aston’s, Chilton via Blewbury, Newbury, Hungerford, Harwell IBC, Wantage, and Abingdon/Oxford. This route is the main service to Brightwell cum Sotwell although there is an off-peak shoppers bus to/from Wallingford on Mon-Fri that serves a separate area of Brightwell known as ‘The Street’

Current subsidy – £75.79/day £23,110/year (est.).
Average passengers per day: 185
Cost per passenger journey – £0.40
Local councils served –3, 1 requested keep exactly as at present

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 165A – Existing level of service
PT/S 165B – Two hourly service.

Contract Ref. PT/V132 Service 134 (Didcot – East Hagbourne – Blewbury – Upton – Chilton – Harwell IBC (Mon – Sat)

Service description: Broadly an hourly frequency between Didcot and Blewbury (in Didcot it serves the Sandringham Road area as well the Broadway and Station). Beyond Blewbury journeys continue to Upton and Chilton, with peak hour buses extended beyond Chilton to Harwell IBC.

Whilst Didcot has a network of services (described under PT/S 165) this route is the main public bus service to the Sandringham Road area of Didcot and the villages of East Hagbourne, Blewbury, Upton and Chilton. Chilton also has a Thursday market bus to Newbury (although there is a more frequent link within 500 metres) whilst East Hagbourne and Blewbury have one off-peak return journey on Fridays to Wallingford. Harwell IBC has links to Newbury, Hungerford, Wantage, Didcot, Abingdon and Oxford.

Requests already received included an extension of (more journeys from Chilton to Harwell IBC and better connections with trains. Blewbury requested a half-hourly service during the evening peak and later journeys from Didcot (Mon-Fri) although the other parishes did not support this request.

Current subsidy – £263.31/day £80,291/year.
Average passengers per day: 201
Cost per passenger journey – £1.31
Local councils served –6, 4 responded (see comments above)

Prices sought for: - (with extension of jnys to Harwell)

PT/V 132A – Existing level of service
PT/V 132B – Two hourly service.

Contract Ref. PT/S183 Service TB 30 (Wallingford – Benson – Ewelme – Britwell Salome – Watlington) (Mon-Sat)

Service description: This operation, using an 8-seat minibus, provides the main service to Ewelme (Kingspool & Hampden Way) and the only service to Britwell Salome as well as the inter-urban link between Wallingford and Watlington. There are presently four journeys each way, mainly during the off-peak period.

The Wallingford network is described under PT/S 165 above whilst services to Benson are listed under PT/S 160. Watlington has an hourly service to Oxford (Mon-Sat), plus a limited off-peak service to Reading and High Wycombe (Mon-Sat). It is intended that a proposed Rural Bus Challenge service will provide a regular link to/from Lewknor M40/J6. This is the only bus service to Britwell Salome and the main part of Ewelme village.

Current subsidy – £42.50/day £12,959/year (est.).
Average passengers per day: 23
Cost per passenger journey – £1.84
Local councils served –6, 2 responded in favour of continuation

Prices sought for: -

PT/S 183A – Improved service level
PT/S 183B – Existing service level (4 jnys).

  SECTION C - COMMERCIAL WITHDRAWALS OF BUS SERVICES

Contract Ref. PT/C6

Service Description – A Monday to Saturday peak and off-peak service between Oxford and Banbury, via Kidlington, Tackley, Steeple Aston, Deddington, Adderbury and Bodicote.

There are no other regular bus services from Steeple Aston or Deddington to either Oxford or Banbury. An infrequent train service operates between Oxford, Tackley and Banbury. Frequent services operate between Kidlington, Banbury Road and Oxford City Centre (2 etc., 7A); and between Bankside roundabout and Banbury town centre via Easington and via Cherwell Heights (B1, B2), although there are no other regular bus services along Oxford Road, Banbury. Other infrequent services, some of them on market days only, operate between Deddington, Adderbury and Banbury town centre.

Operated by – Stagecoach South Midlands, service X59.
Current subsidy – See Exempt Annex 2.
Average passengers per day (subsidised journeys only) – 122.
Cost per passenger journey – See Exempt Annex 2.

Local councils served – 13, of which 8 have written requesting continuation. (6 of these request an hourly service throughout the day, and 5 request continuation of a journey from Oxford about 1900). There have also been requests from 6 individual users for continuation of the 1900 journey.

(Adderbury Parish Council) – "Preferred option is restoration of hourly daytime frequency, including 1745 from Banbury and 1905 from Oxford."

(Banbury Town Council) – "60 minute frequency would be preferred."

(Bodicote Parish Council) – "We request that hourly frequency is implemented again as soon as possible. Perhaps a bus leaving at 1730 or 1800, and returning from Oxford at 2230 or 2300 could be considered, to tie in with the finish of the theatre or cinema."

(Deddington Parish Council) – "Strongly felt that hourly service should be maintained in order to support commuters to Oxford and Banbury as well as our senior citizens, school children and young people in the village."

(Duns Tew Parish Council) – (Parish Clerk) "Please give urgent consideration to our request to alter the time of the 1745 Banbury – Oxford service to 1815." (Parish Transport Representative) – "Reinstatement of 1905 journey was very welcome; this service is essential. Late night bus from Oxford on Fridays and Saturdays would be highly desirable – leaving Oxford at about 2300."

(Steeple Aston Parish Council) – "Alarmed to learn of forthcoming drastic reduction of X59 service. In particular, for several in Steeple Aston cancellation of 1850 from Oxford will be a big blow." "Ideally the pre 11 February timetable should be more or less restored. Residents need bus to get to doctors etc in Deddington and a 90 minute frequency is very inconvenient."

(Tackley Parish Council) – "Did prefer hourly service. Parish would not want to lose 1755 or 1905 journeys from Oxford."

Prices sought for –

PT/C6A – Hourly service throughout day (similar to service operated until August 2001).
PT/C6B – 90 minute frequency until 1445 from Banbury and 1605 from Oxford, thereafter hourly (present level of service).
PT/C6C – As PT/C6B on Mondays to Fridays, 90-minute frequency throughout on Saturdays (reduced level of service).

Contract Ref. PT/C12

Service Description – Monday to Saturday peak and off-peak service between Banbury, Bloxham, Milcombe, South Newington, Wiggington, Hook Norton, Great Rollright, Over Norton and Chipping Norton.

Chipping Norton has direct regular services to Oxford (daily), Kingham (Mon-Sat for connections with Cotswold Line trains), Moreton in Marsh and Stratford on Avon (daily) and Birmingham (Suns). There are also various market day services to villages in the Cotswolds and a Saturday afternoon through return service to Cheltenham. Banbury has an extensive network of radial bus routes as well as connections on the rail network to Oxford or London (via two routes) and Birmingham and the North. Apart from Over Norton (served by some journeys on the Stratford on Avon service), all the other villages listed above are only served by this route. One service that normally terminates in Chipping Norton from the South has a limited number of journeys extended to Banbury off-peak on Thursdays (Market Day) and Saturdays. There is a through journey from Bourton on the Water via Chipping Norton on Thursdays only. These operate direct via the A361, and only pass through South Newington and Bloxham.

Operated by – Stagecoach South Midlands, service 488.
Current subsidy – See Exempt Annex 2.
Average passengers per day – 117.
Cost per passenger journey – See Exempt Annex 2.
Local councils served – 9, of which 2 have written requesting continuation. 3 members of the public have also written from Hook Norton requesting an improved service to and from Banbury.

Prices sought for –

PT/C12A – Hourly service throughout day (enhanced level of service).
PT/C12B – Two hourly off-peak, hourly peak (as operated until August 2001).
PT/C12C – Two hourly service throughout (current level of service).

SECTION D – CHANGES IN ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUBSIDISED SERVICES

(Unless otherwise stated, figures for passengers per day and cost per passenger journey in this section are based on those previously reported when each service was last considered – date shown in brackets).

Contract Ref. PT/C10

Service Description – A Thursday morning shoppers’ service from Hornton and Horley to Banbury. Hornton and Horley are also linked to Banbury by a Tuesday morning shoppers’ service operated by Cherwell Villager.

Operated by – Heyfordian Travel, service 511.
Current subsidy – £75.00/day (£3913/year).
Average passengers per day – 13.5 (2001).
Cost per passenger journey – £5.56.
Local councils served – 4, of which 2 wrote supporting continuation (2001).

Prices sought for –

C10 – Present level of service.

Contract Ref. PT/C15

Service Description – Thursday and Saturday shoppers’ service from Middle Barton and Duns Tew to Banbury. Middle Barton is also linked to Oxford by Monday to Saturday commuter service 84 (contract PT/C34, q.v. below), and to Chipping Norton by Wednesday shoppers’ service 23. Both Middle Barton and Duns Tew are linked to Oxford by Wednesday shoppers’ service 83, and to Bicester by Friday shoppers’ service 82.

Operated by – Heyfordian Travel, service 90.
Current subsidy – £54.00/day (£5589/year).
Average passengers per day – 33 (recent figures).
Cost per passenger journey – £1.64.
Local councils served – 8, of which 5 wrote supporting continuation (2001).

Prices sought for –

C15 – Present level of service.

Contract Ref. PT/C20

Service Description – Friday and Saturday late evening services from Banbury to Hardwick Estate and from Banbury to Bodicote. There are no other late evening services to either point. Bodicote is linked to Banbury town centre by daytime service X59 (contract PT/C6, q.v. above), and Hardwick is linked to Banbury town centre by daytime service B8. Both areas are also served by Sunday services (B4 to Bodicote, B8 to Hardwick) operated by Cheney Coaches.

Operated by – Stagecoach South Midlands, services B4 (Bodicote) and B8 (Hardwick).
Current subsidy – £57.13/day (£5856/year).
Average passengers per day – 4 (recent figures).
Cost per passenger journey – £14.28.
Local councils served – 2, both of whom wrote supporting continuation (2001).

Prices sought for –

PT/C20A – Service throughout the evening, on Mondays to Saturdays.
PT/C20B – Service after 2100, on Mondays to Saturdays.
PT/C20C – Service after 2245, on Mondays to Saturdays.
PT/C20D – Service throughout the evening, on Fridays and Saturdays only.
PT/C20E – Service after 2100, on Fridays and Saturdays only.
PT/C20F – Service after 2245, on Fridays and Saturdays only.

Contract Ref. PT/C34

Service Description – Monday to Saturday peak service from Middle Barton to Oxford. Middle Barton is also served by a number of market-day services to Oxford, Bicester, Banbury and Chipping Norton (see Contract PT/C15 above for details). Hopcrofts Holt and Shipton-on-Cherwell Turn are linked to both Oxford and Banbury by six days a week service X59 (contract PT/C6, q.v. above). There are frequent services between Kidlington, Banbury Road and Oxford city centre (2/2A/2B/2C/2D, 7A).

Operated by – Heyfordian Travel, service 84.
Current subsidy – £64.00/day (£19516/year).
Average passengers per day – 27 (2001).
Cost per passenger journey – £2.37.
Local councils served – 6, of which 2 wrote supporting continuation (2001).

Prices sought for –

PT/C34 – Present level of service.

Contract Ref. PT/S9

Service Description – Tuesday and Saturday shopping service from Watlington to Thame via Lewknor and Tetsworth. Service 121 operates on both days via Shirburn, Lewknor, South Weston, Postcombe and Tetsworth, while an additional service 122 journey runs on Tuesdays only via Pyrton, Clare Hill, Stoke Talmage and Tetsworth.

There are no other bus services from Lewknor (village), South Weston, Pyrton, Clare Hill or Stoke Talmage. Watlington has a regular service to Oxford (101), an infrequent service six days a week to Wallingford, and infrequent market-day services to Henley (123/124). Shirburn and Watlington, also Lewknor (turn) are linked to Reading by infrequent off-peak service M1. Postcombe and Tetsworth are linked to Oxford and High Wycombe six days a week by service 275. Thame is linked to Aylesbury and Oxford by frequent daily service 280.

Operated by – White’s Coaches, services 121/122.
Current subsidy – £76.08/day (Tuesday) (combined with PT/S10), £27.18/day (Saturday) (£5333/year)
Average passengers per day – 76.5 (Tuesday), 25.5 (Saturday) (1999).
Cost per passenger journey – £0.74 (Tuesday, including PT/S10), £1.07 (Saturday).
Local councils served – 6.

Prices sought for – PT/S9 (current level of service).

Contract Ref. PT/S10

Service Description – Tuesday shopping service from Chalgrove to Thame via Stadhampton, Little Milton, Little Haseley, Great Haseley, Great Milton and Milton Common.

Chalgrove and Stadhampton are linked to Oxford by hourly service 101, six days a week. Little Milton, Little Haseley, Great Haseley and Great Milton are served by taxi-bus service 103 to Wheatley, with connections there for Oxford. Milton Common is served by service 275 to Oxford and High Wycombe. None of the villages on service 111 have any alternative direct links to Thame.

Operated by – White’s Coaches, service 111.
Current subsidy – See PT/S9.
Average passengers per day – 26 (1999).
Cost per passenger journey –
Local councils served – 7, of which 2 wrote supporting continuation (1999).

Prices sought for – PT/S10 (current level of service).

  Contract Ref. PT/S106

Service Description – Monday, Wednesday and Friday shoppers’ service from Drayton St Leonard to Abingdon via Berinsfield, Burcot, Clifton Hampden, Long Wittenham, Appleford and Culham.

Drayton St Leonard and Appleford have no other bus services (Appleford has an infrequent train service to Oxford, Didcot and Reading). Berinsfield, Burcot, Clifton Hampden and Long Wittenham are served by regular service 98 to Didcot, six days a week. Burcot, Clifton Hampden and Culham are linked to Abingdon and Wallingford by service 139 (137 on Sundays). Culham is also linked to Abingdon, Oxford and Didcot by service 32A.

Operated by – White’s Coaches, service 99.
Current subsidy – £39.45/day (£5910/year).
Average passengers per day – 32 (2000).
Cost per passenger journey – £1.23.
Local councils served – 9, of which 2 wrote supporting continuation, and 1 sought an enhanced service (2000).

Prices sought for – PT/S106 (current level of service).

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