Collapse of Yellow Buses was 'no surprise', says BCP Council transport boss Cllr Mike Greene

THE collapse of the Yellow Buses group in the summer came as "no surprise", according to BCP Council's transport chief.

The company, which ran services in Christchurch and New Milton, ceased trading in August shortly after going into administration, writes Trevor Bevins of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

BCP Council cabinet member Cllr Mike Greene said it was no coincidence that rival operator MoreBus had 15 "spare" double-deckers waiting to be used and council officers were also quick to take action – resulting in just a day’s loss of services.

At a meeting of the place and overview scrutiny committee, Cllr Greene said the council had been preparing contingency plans when Bournemouth Transport Ltd announced it was going into administration on 29th July.

He said the successful takeover of most of the routes by MoreBus, and a smaller number by Eastleigh-based Xelabus, which is now also running school buses in the area, should make no difference to future services.

Although the final details of the £8.9m government grant to the council to improve bus services has still not been signed off, Cllr Greene expected no major changes and expected confirmation soon.

The plans include more bus lanes for key routes, new bus shelters, a live information system and an app which has bus times, train updates and Beryl bikes and e-scooter information. Single-ticketing is also being worked on.

Cllr Greene said he was yet to see the financial details for the council of the government’s pledge to cap winter bus fares at £2, but it was a move he welcomed.

He said the incentive might be what was needed to encourage more people to use the buses, which have still not returned to numbers before the Covid outbreak.

He described the planned investment in bus services as “a major plank’ in the drive to tackle what he said was ever worsening congestion in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

Cllr Greene said the only question left to be resolved would be who would operate three council-subsided routes, numbers 18, 33 and 36. They are now run by Xela but will have to be re-tendered in February next year.

He said more than half of the £8.9m government grant is expected to create new bus lanes and extra shelters, together with an information system at most bus stops.

Around £2m will be earmarked to increase the frequency of buses on some routes.

Cllr Andy Hadley said he hoped any future changes would also involve introducing lower emission Euro 6 buses and to give consideration to better phasing of pedestrian lights at some junctions.