Issue - meetings

There were no bus operators present.

It was reported that the regeneration of Aldershot Bus Station was continuing to give rise to concerns.  A plan for new stops from May was due to be published.  There had been a lack of information for passengers and seemingly staff too who had been unable to offer advice.

The Advisory Committee received the following updates from bus operators:

Stagecoach South

Rob Vince reported that services were relatively stable in the Blackwater Valley.  Recovery from the pandemic had been slow but was going in the right direction.  Staffing had been a major issue in the past 12-18 months.  There were not enough drivers to restore all services reliably.  On a positive note, they were not losing so many people now.   He was hoping to resume pre-pandemic frequencies as soon as possible.

He confirmed that it was difficult to release resource for rail replacement buses during the week due to their services and other contracts.  Some drivers only worked at weekends on rail replacement buses.  There were also insufficient buses available.

The company had been given notice to leave Aldershot bus station in May.  The company was looking at alternative arrangements.  Two stops at the station would be insufficient.

Rob added that the £2 fare cap was being monitored and may influence future fares policy.

In response to a question about whether buses were changing, Rob indicated that the company was starting to invest again but changes occurred as part of the five-yearly repaint schedule.