Report for councillors: Bus Route 67
Issued to: Finance & Resources Committee Meeting 06/07/2020
Purpose of Report to provide details of the revenue and patronage in relation to the 67 bus
Background
Since 2017 the Town Council has paid £5,500 towards a bus route between Burnham, Highbridge and Wedmore. The bus route is subsidised by all the parishes that it travels through.
| Revenue and Patronage – 01 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 | ||||||
| Month | Contract | Cash Jnys | Concession Jnys | Cash Taken | Concession Fare Revenue | Monthly Totals |
| Apr-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 70 | 578 | £213.60 | £1,395.03 | £1,608.63 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 659 | 1218 | £1,362.90 | £2,449.27 | £3,812.17 | |
| May-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 51 | 653 | £168.00 | £1,591.79 | £1,759.79 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 778 | 1341 | £1,696.70 | £2,728.20 | £4,424.90 | |
| Jun-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 62 | 559 | £198.60 | £1,337.63 | £1,536.23 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 677 | 1310 | £1,513.40 | £2,711.90 | £4,225.30 | |
| Jul-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 73 | 720 | £258.60 | £1,811.03 | £2,069.63 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 700 | 1417 | £1,734.60 | £2,926.09 | £4,660.69 | |
| Aug-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 61 | 577 | £230.60 | £1,341.64 | £1,572.24 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 496 | 1174 | £1,193.70 | £2,052.25 | £3,245.95 | |
| Sep-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 70 | 567 | £209.70 | £1,290.14 | £1,499.84 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 833 | 1202 | £1,676.20 | £2,367.13 | £4,043.33 | |
| Oct-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 90 | 574 | £297.90 | £1,454.00 | £1,751.90 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 818 | 1406 | £1,839.80 | £2,814.69 | £4,654.49 | |
| Nov-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 66 | 542 | £225.00 | £1,418.23 | £1,643.23 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 761 | 1310 | £1,662.50 | £2,544.21 | £4,206.71 | |
| Dec-19 | Burnham – Wedmore | 58 | 477 | £222.00 | £1,301.70 | £1,523.70 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 626 | 1248 | £1,422.50 | £2,571.86 | £3,994.36 | |
| Jan-20 | Burnham – Wedmore | 63 | 437 | £219.30 | £1,157.02 | £1,376.32 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 657 | 1117 | £996.00 | £1,929.20 | £2,925.20 | |
| Feb-20 | Burnham – Wedmore | 45 | 359 | £141.60 | £900.25 | £1,041.85 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 515 | 992 | £865.00 | £1,800.87 | £2,665.87 | |
| Mar-20 | Burnham – Wedmore | 37 | 309 | £116.40 | £736.55 | £852.95 |
| Wedmore to Wookey Hole | 425 | 903 | £765.00 | £1,750.59 | £2,515.59 | |
| Totals | £63,610.87 |
Bus Service Costs 01 April 2019 to 31 March 2020
Parish Contributions £18,505.00
2018/19 Surplus £1,374.61
Wedmore to Wells Cost
255 days @ £160.00 = £40,800.00
Saturday Service Cost
51 days @ £235 = £11,985.00
Burnham to Wedmore Cost
255 days @ £143.27 = £36,533.85
Trial Saturday service (Nov-Dec 2019)
6 days @ £195 = £1,170.00 (excluded from total)
Funded by S106 monies
Total Costs: £89,318.85
Total revenue to date (including contributions) £83,490.48
Shortfall £5,828.37
This year the shortfall of £5,828.37 has been paid by Somerset County Council.
The contributions per parish are currently:
| Name of Parish | Contribution for 2019/20 |
| St Cuthbert (Out) | £3,300 |
| Wedmore | £1,500 |
| Burnham & Highbridge | £5,500 |
| Mark | £1,750 |
| Burnham Without | £1,000 |
| East Huntspill | £1,055 |
| Wells City Council | £2,200 |
| Wookey | £2,200 |
| Total | £18,505 |
The data from 2018-19 shows the total number of journeys from Burnham-Wedmore was 7249, which is an average of 139 journeys a week with the average subsidy per journey being £0.69.
The data from 2019-20 shows a total number of journeys from Burnham- Wedmore was 7098 (there were reduced journeys in February and March due to COVID-19) which is an average of 136 journeys a week with the average subsidy per journey being £0.70.
Financial implications
The current budget for the bus is £5,500 and it has been paid for this year 2020-21
Policy implications
Corporate Pillar 4: Healthy and Safe Environment
The Town Council will seek to provide and enhance facilities and resources to support and develop safe and well-connected towns
Options/Recommendations
It is expected that the Town Council will be asked to increase its contribution next year and the Council might therefore consider whether it is content with the existing bus provision in order to decide whether to continue with level of subsidy.
Report author: Sally Jones, Responsible Finance Officer
Report Date: 26th June 2020