Local bus services are seeing revised timetables. This is in response to changes in demand, and continuing staffing issues. Locally, across supported bus services, patronage is approximately 90 per cent of pre-Covid levels for fare-paying journeys, but lower for concessionary pass-holders. Bracknell Forest Council is working with Thames Valley Buses to explore ways to attract them back.
Buses grant extended
With current bus passenger numbers still lower than their pre-pandemic levels, the Government has extended its Bus Recovery Support Grant (BRSG) until March 2023. This is key to enabling operators and local authorities to ensure vital routes and services can remain open.
Bus driver shortage continues to affect services
The shortage of bus drivers continues to be a nationwide problem affecting many areas and operators. Thames Valley Buses (TVB) confirm that some cancellations on the Bracknell Forest-funded network (supported services) occurred in November and December 2022, but the main impact has been felt on the commercial network, most notably the 171/172 serving south Bracknell, and the 194 which connects Bracknell and Camberley via Crowthorne and Sandhurst.
Operators have prioritised school trips and also ensuring no one route has two journeys in a row which are cancelled. October was particularly affected due to a number of cultural events which impacted on driver availability. Driver duty rotas are complex, with drivers working on more than one route during their shift. Officers have asked TVB to investigate options for reducing frequency on some routes in order to make the remaining journeys more reliable and a response is awaited.
TVB are working hard to recruit new drivers – 6 new drivers are currently undergoing training – and a loyalty bonus scheme combined with improved pay and conditions is being implemented to help with driver retention.