3 Partnership Working
A wide range of partners work together to help to improve bus services in Cornwall. Although the bus companies are privately owned and run, and can therefore take purely commercial decisions about how to run their business, there is a strong spirit of co-operation between local operators and ourselves. There is a common aim amongst everyone involved to deliver a quality public transport system in Cornwall, with the most effective and efficient network on the ground.
The key partnership group set up in the County to deal with bus issues is the County Bus Policy Group. The group meets at least quarterly and is represented by the main bus operators in the County and Bus Users UK. The liaison of the group was fundamental in developing this Bus Strategy and will play a key role in ensuring that it is delivered. Other important partners/groups that have a role in impacting on bus service delivery are set out in Table 5.1.
|
Group Name |
Impact on Bus Services |
|
Bus Policy Group |
The group meets at least quarterly to discuss policy and operational issues across the County. |
|
Concessionary Fares Working Group |
We work with the District Councils to deliver the Countywide Concessionary Fares Scheme and meet regularly to identify opportunities to publicise and enhance the scheme. |
|
Smartcard Forum |
The South West Smartcard Forum is a group that includes local operators, Local Authorities and Electronic Ticket Machine manufacturers who meet to advance the case for Smartcards as an opportunity to deliver services to the public. The group has also been facilitating trials of new ETMs across the sub region with one of the major bus operators. |
|
Rural Transport Partnerships |
There is an East and West Rural Transport Partnership (RTP) in the County who work with the Parish Councils and the local community to identify and implement local transport solutions, as well as working to promote public transport schemes. |
|
Highways Liaison Group |
This group meets quarterly (in each of two halves of the County) to coordinate the Statutory Utilities activities on the highway network. Clearly, many of these functions are aimed at minimising the effect on the road user by reducing the time the road is closed. They equally have the function of identifying those routes that affect public transport services. By these means, we are able to anticipate major works, plan and publicise alternative service options while the disruption occurs. Road closures and works are also provided to operators in the areas concerned on a daily basis. |
|
Transport for Health |
The Transport for Health Group has representatives from the PCTs and other strategic health providers in Cornwall, as well as representatives from the County Council and the RTP officers. The group discusses and develops projects that improve access to healthcare. |
| The Cornwall Post 16 Partnership |
The group consists of representatives from schools, colleges, the County Council, Connexions and bus operators. The group works together to improve the recruitment, retention, participation, progression and accessibility to education of 16-19 year old students by improving transport arrangements. |
The issue of tourism and bus services is currently dealt with via meetings and liaison with colleagues in the Cornwall Tourist Board, bus operators or specific attractions such as the Eden Project.