The first subsidised route to be taken over by a new-style dial-a-bus service was launched at the weekend even as the council’s policy was being challenged by opposition councillors.
Milton Keynes Council had offered contract extensions to the operators of subsidised bus services in the city but Vale Travel, who had been running the number 28 declined the opportunity to keep doing so until April 2021.
The route connects Westcroft with Shenley Wood, Central MK, the hospital and Bletchley.
But on Sunday it started being covered by an emergency demand responsive transport (DRT) service operated by ViaVan, which allows users to book ahead on an app or by phone with single trips costing £2.50.
Milton Keynes Council currently spends £2.9 million on 26 subsidised bus routes in the city. It says about 86 per cent of bus users hop on to commercial services, which remain unaffected.
Contract extensions for many but not all of the subsidised bus routes are due to end next April following a decision made on September 29.
From then, the council wants to replace many of them with demand responsive transport (DRT).
But the policy decision has been challenged by two senior Conservative opposition councillors who want to protect bus services.
They used the council’s call in rules to demand a rethink, and a meeting of the strategic placemaking scrutiny sub-committee was called for Monday (October 26).
However, with just minutes to go before the virtual meeting was due to start, it was cancelled.
Cllr Townsend said: “The meeting would have likely resulted in me being asked to reconsider the decision so it will go back for another delegated decision, probably on November 10.
“I am not likely to come to a different conclusion but there will be more information available for the public to scrutinise.”
She added that DRT services are “half the price” to the council of subsidised bus routes.
“During the last tendering for subsidised services the costs increased by 73 per cent,” she said.
“If that happened again it would cost the council more than £5 million which is not sustainable.”
She said the issue was resolved after a council solicitor spoke to an objector to reassure them that a sub-committee was not necessary to agree to reconsider the decision.
Conservative group leader Cllr Alex Walker (Stantonbury) said: “We appreciate the constructive mediation.
“The commitment to publish the full evidence base and to review the decision is welcomed.”
He said he wants the council to demonstrate how DRT will be a replacement, “rather than just saying it will be.”
He added: “We still have major reservations.
“2,000 bus users are at risk of losing their ability to travel to work, to shop and to see friends.
“We will consider the decision, and will be constructive where we can,” he added.
“But, bus services are essential and the council should be looking at all ways to keep them.”
Details of the new number 28 route ViaVan MK Connectservice can be found here: https://www.viavan.com/milton-keynes/.
