SAVINGS of £250,000 a year in support for bus services could be sought by borough chiefs.
The package of measures, including a 'have your say' forum for passengers, is due to be considered by Cheshire West and Chester Council's ruling Tory controlled Executive at a meeting on Wednesday (September 5).
Environment director Steve Kent says the changes are 'appropriate and necessary' to ensure the cash available to back public transport services is used to maximise the social economic benefits while reflecting commercial and financial pressures.
They follow a review by Chester councillors Neil Sullivan (Con, Handbridge Park), Jill Houlbrook (Con, Upton) and Marie Nelson (Lab, Blacon) which looked at conventional bus services and alternative forms of public transport.
By combining income generation and cost reductions, the proposed changes are said to ensure that services will be maintained where there is the greatest need.
If agreed, there would be a move from council provided services towards supported services involving the community.
Fares on council backed services would also be allowed to rise more than once a year in line with commercial operators.
Mr Kent points out central government funding was cut back significantly in 2010 including the loss of a grant of almost £280,000 a year for rural bus services.
He reveals that despite the reduction in funding, the council has worked with private and community bus service operators to maintain services.
If approved, increased fares for discretionary home to school and college transport, with a 50% rise in the typical £1.50 a day fare to £2.25, would bring in an additional £40,000 a year.
The withdrawal of half fare concessionary travel before 9.30am on weekdays would save £85,000 a year while an annual charge of £12 to users of community transport services supported by the council would raise £15,000 a year.
The withdrawal of free concessionary travel on community transport would save £80,000 a year and the ending of support for evening and Sunday community services, including the evening Plus Bus and the Chester Women's Safe Transport service, would save £30,000 a year.
The financial guidelines for backing public transport services would also be tweeked.
Mr Kent explains the existing cost per trip approach can lead to some services being withdrawn which are of greater value to the community than others, for example a leisure travel journey as opposed to a service to work.
Excluding concessionary fares, the council backs public transport to the tune of £2.7m a year.
A total of 1.7m passengers a year use services it supports.
A further £3.8m is allocated for concessionary travel.
