Proof of Evidence of Mr James Willcock

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Document Reference Number OA/13 Proof of Evidence of Mr James Willcock 6 PROCUREMENT OF BUS SERVICES (BRT AND FEEDER BUS SERVICES) 6.1 The purpose of the Procurement of Bus Services (BRT Services and Feeder Bus Services) work stream is to procure the delivery of both BRT services and feeder bus services for the three BRT schemes, through a combination of competitive tender and via the commercial marketplace. The BRT services will form the core services to be operated on the BRT infrastructure. The feeder bus services are existing bus services that will use parts of the BRT infrastructure to obtain journey time savings. 6.2 This work stream includes OJEU procurement, the formulation of a Quality Partnership Scheme and complementary legal agreements, informs the design of the ‘BRT Network Operation (Management and Maintenance)’ work stream, which concerns the on-going operational management and maintenance of the BRT services, ITS and infrastructure. Central to the delivery of both work streams is integration; this includes integration between the schemes, physical and technical integration and integration with the wider bus network. 6.3 Procurement of Bus Services (BRT Services and Feeder Bus Services) work stream entails three main categories of bus service: a) Procurement of BRT services via competitive tender b) Procurement of BRT services via commercial marketplace c) Procurement of Feeder bus services via commercial marketplace 6.4 Table 1, (OA13/2, Appendix 3) provides a network wide summary by service type and scheme. The AVTM BRT scheme entails bus categories a) and c) only, while the NFHP scheme entails all three. 6.5 The BRT services will form the core services to be operated on the BRT infrastructure. The BRT services will be characterised by an uplift in quality and level of service compared with conventional bus services, through the delivery of the BRT infrastructure, ITS and the levels of service and operational standards prescribed by the councils. The core BRT services will operate at high frequency, typically operating between every 10 minutes, and in the case of the AVTM BRT service an every 6 minute frequency is proposed. To ensure the provision of a consistent quality uplift and high levels of service, the BRT services will be the only services serving Park & Ride customers, at least during the initial period to establish the BRT services. For example the AVTM BRT service will be the only service Page 13
Document Reference Number OA/13 Proof of Evidence of Mr James Willcock operating into Long Ashton Park & Ride site, initially. The councils will review this policy periodically to determine whether customer service could be enhanced overall by allowing non BRT services to use the Park & Ride site. 6.6 The feeder bus services will comprise largely of existing commercial bus services that are to use the BRT infrastructure to obtain journey time savings, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the wider bus network and contributing towards the councils’ modal shift objectives. The feeder bus services will generally either operate at lower frequency e.g. every half an hour and operate typically longer distances e.g. 20 mile town to city services, or they will operate at relatively high frequency mainly urban services e.g. every 10 minutes but only use part of the BRT infrastructure. 6.7 AVTM is the first of the three BRT schemes to be delivered, with BRT operations programmed to commence in summer 2015. SBL follows in summer of 2016 and NFHP opens in 2017. Physically the three schemes connect together at the following locations (see OA/13/2, Appendix 4): Approx 100 metres to the east of the Long Ashton P&R site SBL connects with AVTM via bus only T junction; AVTM, SBL and NFHP BRT services all converge in Bristol city centre between Cabot Circus, Broadmead, Colston Avenue, Broad Quay and Prince Street, running on extended bus lanes; and At Hengrove Park, SBL BRT services share an interchange with NFHP BRT services. Ashton Vale to Temple Meads (AVTM ) Operational Interface with Bristol Harbour Railway 6.8 Between the CREATE Centre and the MShed the AVTM inbound busway shares the Bristol Harbour Railway (BHR) alignment when the Harbour Railway is not in operation. The Bristol Harbour Railway is a heritage railway operating on summer Sundays and public holidays only. On the occasions when the heritage railway is used, inbound buses will use the Cumberland Road carriageway. The outbound alignment will run on a new bus lane along Cumberland Road. The tracks for the heritage railway would be relaid within the single guided busway to allow heritage rail services to continue to operate on Summer Sundays and public holidays. The existing fence between Cumberland Road and the heritage railway would be removed to aid construction and would be replaced with a suitable alternative. New guard rail, stops and station platforms would be constructed close to Vauxhall Bridge to serve SS Great Britain. Where possible existing heritage features are to be retained or incorporated into the scheme. Appropriate materials will be used Page 14
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Proof of Evidence of Mr James Willcock

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