Decision - Concessionary Fares and Bus Service Improvement Plan Update

This report updates Cabinet on negotiations for fixed deals with bus operators in the city for the payment of concessionary fares. It also seeks approval to continue to deliver on the BSIP targets identified for the original 2021 bid document. BHCC was awarded a further £9,279,617 of grant funding for 2025-26, and a new programme of schemes is being developed with stakeholder engagement.

1) Cabinet notes the conclusion of negotiations on concessionary fares payments with bus operators and agrees to the payment of the fixed deals as set out in Part 2 of this report. 2) Cabinet agrees to the use of negotiated fixed deals as the preferred option for the next 3 years with all bus operators for the reimbursement of concessionary fares and grants delegated authority to the Corporate Director for City Services to conduct and conclude such negotiations so that expenditure is less than would otherwise be calculated using the new DfT calculator. 3) Cabinet approves the BSIP Delivery Plan required for release of the 2025-26 Bus Grant totalling £9.729 million.

The plan sets out bus service, infrastructure, fare, accessibility, marketing and feasibility measures for 2025-26 across Brighton & Hove. It includes continued support for socially necessary routes, improvements to bus stops and junctions, fare reductions, and studies into red routes, franchising and Park & Ride.