08 Neil Scales

Future Vehicle Technology: 

Future Vehicle Technology

Do we need to be regulating the bus market in the UK?: 

Do we need to be regulating the bus market in the UK? Neil Scales Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel

The UK Situation: 

The UK Situation Prior to 1986 - Bus services provided by local authority owned operators, subsidiaries of publicly owned corporations and smaller private companies Transport Act 1985 - Large scale legal and administrative change. - Supposed to promote competition and efficiency - To limit use of public monies in funding bus ops - No longer a requirement for road service licensing (outside London) - No quantitative restrictions on local bus services

The UK Situation: 

The UK Situation Registration of services - Operators register with Traffic Commissioner giving 42 days notice of intention to set up or cease to operate a service - Provide certain information on the proposed route This is NOT the case in London - System of competitive tendering for bus routes

The role of Merseytravel: 

The role of Merseytravel Subsidize services required to meet social needs - Specify service characteristics in contract - Provide certain information on the proposed route Spend £20 million in direct support = 20% of market (service mileage) £3.3 million on bus stations 2,635 shelters 6,171 bus stops Nowhere is more than 400m from a bus stop

Merseyside situation: 

Merseyside situation Buses take 170 million passengers per annum Account for 85% of public transport movements on Merseyside 37 operators Approximately 1,400 buses

Bus Problems in UK: 

Bus Problems in UK Passenger decline and therefore revenue - Increased car ownership - Cars are relatively cheap to own and maintain - Perception of security and safety - Convenience of service and network - Perceived costs of public transport vs car - Competition impacts Operator problems - Wages - Shortage of skilled staff (drivers/engineers) - Fuel - Crime and disorder - Insurance

Revenue – Pax Trips: 

Revenue – Pax Trips

Bus Problems on Merseyside: 

Bus Problems on Merseyside Reliability Quality and image – no consistency Instability of service Poor resource use - Over-bussing on strong radial corridors - Under-bussing on orbital routes and evenings Integration - Fares and ticketing - Information Competition - Too much on road - Not enough responding to tenders

Slide13: 

Chaos Reigns!

Performance on Merseyside: 

Performance on Merseyside Largest operator – Arriva (CATCH partner) - Growth overseas - Regulated market success Medium operator – Glenvale – experiencing difficulties and for sale Many small operators – inconsistent performance

What can be done?: 

What can be done? Do nothing Range of options under Transport Act 2000 Statutory Quality Partnerships - what do they involve? - PTE provides infrastructure - provide bus lanes - operators invest in the fleet - are there potential problems?

What can be done?: 

What can be done? Quality Contracts PTEs could: - agree integrated routes, timetables, tickets and fares - emphasise social, environmental and economic importance of services - remove wasteful competition - operate a bus service of last resort - ensure public monies used effectively Operators concerned that: - may affect commercial integrity

Current Actions: 

Current Actions Merseytravel is producing a Bus Strategy Quality Contracts are being considered

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project A key objective was: To significantly expand the use of clean fuels in public transport and local authority vehicle fleets by introducing new clean vehicles within the partners’ fleets to test innovative technologies and applications.

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project Merseytravel task to introduce a fleet of six new ‘clean’ vehicles to operate a new city centre circular route. We considered: Battery buses Diesel-electric hybrid buses Fuel cell (hydrogen) buses

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project Hybrids chosen because: they use less fuel and therefore produce less exhaust pollution we have experience of battery buses fuel cell buses are prohibitively expensive and not yet sufficiently developed hybrid technology for European buses is at the stage appropriate to a demonstration project

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project What is a hybrid bus? A small diesel engine drives a generator Electricity can be stored in batteries Batteries drive a motor to drive wheels Regenerative braking Series or parallel versions

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project Philosophy to use proven components: Eneco/Optare series hybrids Solo has hybrid power pack replacing driveline Volkswagen TDI engine Siemens drive motor and generator Gel lead-acid battery pack

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project Benefits: Engine operating regime is optimised for fuel economy No need for expensive gearbox Reduced fuel consumption Reduced exhaust pollution Better total life cost than conventional buses Can operate in zero-emission mode in sensitive areas Well suited to stop-start urban operations

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project Service (operated by Arriva): Six buses to run circular service started February 2005 7 days a week 5 vehicles peak requirement Pool of dedicated trained drivers Ridership and satisfaction being monitored Currently >3000 passengers per week

CATCH demonstration project: 

CATCH demonstration project Project being monitored but we can conclude: Uncertainties with Government funding; both grants and fuel duty rebate impact on uptake of such vehicles Initial problems typical of product at this stage No fundamental problems with hybrid concept Fuel consumption benefits already seen Operator and passenger acceptance encouraging Vehicle prices will reduce as production volumes increase If successful Merseytravel would like to see more on streets of Merseyside