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5 Informal consultation
5.1 If a transport authority proposes a sQP, there is a statutory consultation process that they must adopt before the scheme can be implemented. However, deciding on the specifics of the scheme will need to be undertaken in discussion with the key parties involved in its delivery, before the formal consultation period begins.
5.2 Informal discussion with relevant bus operators, therefore, is the essential first stage in the decision making process. This serves two purposes; firstly, involving operators in the early stages of planning the scheme will ensure that when the proposed scheme is advertised it comes as no surprise to them. Secondly, and more importantly, operators will have the opportunity to suggest proposals, or to comment on the feasibility and deliverability of the proposals.
5.3 The scheme will require acceptance by operators from the outset if it is to achieve its purpose. It is critical to get the appropriate balance between transport authority responsibilities and bus operator responsibilities. Operators will want to be reassured that the transport authority is committed to delivering the necessary measures to improve conditions for buses and secondly that they are capable of meeting the service standards without undue difficulty. Any scheme that is perceived to be particularly onerous on one partner to comply with is unlikely to be accepted.
5.4 There are no set timescales for the informal discussion phase and its duration will be very much dependent on the proposed nature of the scheme, the proposed date for implementation and whether there are any particular concerns that need to be resolved before moving forward. Transport authorities who currently have voluntary partnership agreements in place with bus operators are likely to be able to gauge what the desire would be for moving towards a statutory scheme through any liaison meetings that they hold with bus operators.
5.5 At this stage in the process, consideration should also be given to whether separate, voluntary agreements between operators and the transport authority could be entered in to, to underpin and support the sQP. A particular example could be the development of a Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnership ( BPIP), which is the subject of the Scottish Government publication entitled Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnerships: Guidance for transport authorities and bus operators available from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/03/30120224/0
5.6 The above-named guidance acknowledges that BPIPs can form an integral component of a sQP, as there are many important and relevant cross-linkages between the two types of partnerships. The measures provided as part of a BPIP will have obvious benefits for punctuality monitoring, but will also enhance standards within a sQP. As an example, the decriminalisation of parking at bus stops allows enforcement officers to deal with parking offences as a priority, which will reduce delays but will also improve conditions at waiting facilities for the benefit of passengers which may be an objective of the sQP.
Incorporating a BPIP into a sQP |
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Dundee City Council and Angus Council entered into a BPIP on 1 st January 2009 with National Express Dundee and Stagecoach Strathtay. This was seen as the first in a number of steps to further enhancing service and infrastructure quality on the public transport network within the city centre and on a number of cross boundary routes. The emerging Dundee sQP will contain within it a commitment to the ongoing improvement in punctuality and reliability within the scheme area, through the BPIP. So although the BPIP itself is a voluntary agreement, it is given greater importance by its incorporation within the sQP and further enhances the sQP by its inclusion. |
5.7 It is recommended that along with the promoters or the bus operators the relevant RTP(s) are invited to comment on the sQP proposals. The lead authority may wish to ask the Confederation of Passenger Transport ( CPT), the trade association representing the UK's bus and coach industry to be involved in these early discussions.
5.8 
sQP legislation necessitates that if a proposed scheme affects a trunk road there is a formal requirement to consult with the Scottish Ministers, before giving notice of the proposed scheme. This means that if the trunk road network operates through any area of the proposed sQP scheme boundaries, the transport authority is required to consult Transport Scotland's Head of Trunk Road: Network Management Directorate.
Pre Consultation checklist  |
- Informal discussion with relevant bus operators to involve them in planning process and so they can suggest proposals, or to comment on the feasibility and deliverability of the proposals.
- Ensure appropriate balance between transport authority responsibilities and bus operator responsibilities.
- Recommended that along with the promoters or the bus operators the relevant RTP(s) and CPT are invited to comment on the sQP proposals.
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