Scottish Government

Identifying Scope, Aims and Objectives

Define the problem

• Confirm current situation regarding punctuality and reliability and collate initial information to support statement of problem.

• Engage chief officers and elected members in discussions about the benefits and intention to develop a BPIP.

Decide on scope of BPIP

• Scheme could cover an entire geographical area or individual services/corridors.

• Consider a pilot scheme on a service or corridor before rolling out on a wider basis.

• Confirmation of the main signatories to the agreement (the key partners of local authority and/or RTP and bus operator(s)).

• Anticipated date of commencement and duration of BPIP.

• Identify procedures for termination or extension of agreement.

Identify Partner Priorities

• Local authority and/or RTP should identify their reasons for entering into BPIP which must demonstrate how policy objectives contained within LTS/ RTS/ SOA will be met.

• Bus operator should demonstrate how BPIP will enable improved service quality and efficiency and meet Traffic Commissioner standards.

Define the Aim

• The Aim should be a short overarching statement of the aspiration for the partnership.

Define the Objectives

• BPIP objectives should show how they link to wider policy objectives contained within LTS/ RTS/ SOA etc.

• Objectives must be SMART. Identify baseline, define indicators and targets, and state how targets will be measured.

Measuring Punctuality and Reliability and Setting Improvement Targets

Measures to record performance

• Clarify what will be measured for the BPIP (see Table 5.1 and Table 5.2) taking into account Traffic Commissioner requirements.

• Consider any additional measures that may be included, e.g. measuring punctuality at non-timing points.

Identify baseline position

• Measure baseline position using either historical RTPI data or by manual monitoring exercise (will be subject to local circumstances and resources).

• Undertake Route Audits for each service or corridor to be included in the BPIP.

Yearly improvement targets

• Set annual improvement targets for each measure to be recorded, from the baseline position. Separate targets may be required for different services.

Monitoring and Reporting

General

• Confirm method used to monitor performance - electronic or manual.

• Decide if and when data will be excluded from analysis, i.e. in the case of extreme weather events, vandalism etc.

• Cross reference all sources of timetable information, i.e. service registrations, running boards, RTPI etc, to ensure accuracy.

• Decide on sampling rate (the minimum percentage of journeys to be monitored on a service by service basis).

Electronic monitoring

• If using RTPI/ GPS, clarify exact reporting requirements with supplier/operator.

• Decide on how reports will be presented.

• Request a check of system to identify if any gaps in coverage exist.

• Identify any staff training requirements.

• Decide on how and when manual spot checks will be undertaken.

Manual monitoring

• Devise monthly monitoring programme - with considerations of location of survey points, time of day, day of week, service frequency etc.

Time synchronisation

• Ensure that all equipment used is synchronised to the same time source (the BT speaking clock).

• Time pieces used for manual monitoring must be synchronised according to the BT speaking clock before any survey exercise.

Actions to Achieve Improvement Targets

• Identify actions that both the local authority and bus operator can commit to in the short, medium and long term.

• Establish Delivery Plan (as soon as practicable after commencement of BPIP).

• Identify funding (both capital and revenue) required to undertake actions to improve punctuality.

• Identify any procedures to address under-performance.

Establishing a Formal Management Structure

• Establish Operational Group and plan for a regular programme of liaison meetings.

• Devise procedure for reporting back to liaison meetings.

• Identify potential partners to join a Working Group.

• Advise the Traffic Commissioner, Scottish Roadworks Commissioner, Scottish Government, CPT of the existence of the partnership, and subsequent progress.

Sharing, Use and Publication of Data

• Data sharing agreements to be established between relevant partners.

• Ensure that legal teams are involved throughout the process.

• Acknowledge and take into consideration Freedom of Information and competition legislation requirements.

• Agreement on level of information to be made available within the public domain.

• Agreement on level of information to be provided to the Traffic Commissioner.

Additional Considerations

• Create a risk register to identify key risks to the success of the BPIP and actions required to mitigate these risks.

• Local authority to undertake Equality Impact Assessment.