Decision details

This decision is regarding the future of bus service 14 which serves the Gippeswyk Park area of Ipswich and is operated under contract to the Council. 

The Portfolio Holder is requested to approve the award of a new contract for the operation of the service to Simonds of Botesdale from April 2025 to January 2027.

To enter into a service subsidy agreement for the operation of bus service 14 with Simonds of Botesdale for the period from Monday 7^th April 2025 to Saturday 2^nd January 2027 inclusive at a rate of £254.46 per day of operation.

Reasons: To ensure that affected residents continue to have a bus service and as this was the best price for the continued operation of the service from those submitted in response to a competitive tendering exercise.  The ongoing provision of service subsidies in respect of Service 14 is considered to be justified given the current level of passenger usage, especially as a high percentage are elderly or have a disability, and as there is currently sufficient funding available from surpluses accrued from the Cromwell Square on-street parking place.