Purpose

To agree to progress a zero-emission bus scheme on the Kettering
– Rothwell – Desborough – Corby/Market Harborough
corridor in partnership with Stagecoach.

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 
That the Executive:
 

a)     
Agreed to provide grant funding up to £1.8million
towards the purchase of eight electric buses and associated depot
infrastructure as set out in section 5 of this report, subject to
the receipt of detailed advice that the funding is in accordance
with the Subsidy Control Act.

 

b)     
Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place &
Economy in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways and
Travel to take such actions as necessary to enter into a funding
agreement with the bus operator.
 

c)     
Authorised the Executive Director of Place and Economy,
following consultation with Legal and Finance, to approve the
execution and sealing of the funding agreement
 
 
Reason for Recommendations:
Utilisation of government grant to improve bus services, increase
bus patronage and lower carbon emissions in North
Northamptonshire.
 
Alternative Options Considered
– Options would include not spending the grant funding
and allow the Department for Transport to recoup it. The funding
could be spent on other types of capital bus improvement such as
bus stops or bus priority measures. Consideration was given to the
introduction of electric buses on the X4 Northampton –
Peterborough service, but this is beyond the range of current
battery technology.