The York Council is resisting a Freedom of information request which would have forced them to share with residents the statistics that they hold on bus service reliability in the City.

The Council was asked to produce figures showing the reliability on each service in York each month for the last year. Figures from the GPS systems used by bus operators to monitor each route were requested together with the similar (but independent) information that the Council routinely gathers through “mystery traveller” type checks.

The Council claims that, although the GPS information is available to it, they cannot reveal it because “publishing it may affect the commercial interests” of the bus companies. While we can understand that the information may affect the reputation of individual companies, it is more difficult to see this as a “commercial interest”. After all similar information is published routinely for train operating companies who themselves are (mainly) private sector organisations.

We accept that the council cannot routinely publish such information without the agreement of bus operators. We are writing to senior managers in the larger local bus companies asking them to cooperate in the publication of this information.

There are a few routes in York (and only a few) where different bus operators compete directly with each other. It seems to us that if on, say, the Tadcaster Road service, Coastliner had a 90% punctuality record and First a 92% performance then that is information that the potential passenger should have available to them to aid them in their choice of provider?

If the bus operators won’t produce this information voluntarily, then we will be asking the Transport Minister to order its publication.

Separately the Council has been independently checking bus reliability for a number of years. “Mystery travellers” compare actual to timetable performance. The reports are paid for by Council Taxpayers and should be in the public domain.

The Councils excuse for not providing this information is that it is planning to do so in September when a “bus improvement study” is published. The report will be considered by the Cabinet member for Transport at one of his “decision” meetings.

These are the type of meeting which have recently been held behind closed doors, without the publication of an agenda or the opportunity for other Councillors and members of the public to make representations. Recent practice has been to publish the “decision” about a week after the meeting has taken place.

It is increasingly difficult not to conclude that the Council once again has something to hide.

We’ve had further correspondence with First regarding the reliability of the number 4 service. They say that the service achieved over 90% reliability between May and July. We are unclear how the reliability of a service which is supposed to run at “frequent intervals”, according to the timetable, is assessed.

First are expecting to make timetable changes in October to co-include with the arrival of additional students at York University. They will be “delivering a frequency and resource increase which should drive up performance”.

The delays and “bunching” on the route, over the last week or so, are blamed on road works in Heslington Road. These were due to be completed on 24th August, so we will be checking whether things have improved.

We are less convinced that the “bunching” on the inward leg (from Acomb to the city centre) can be attributed to road works (there haven’t been any on that section of the route, yet tandem working is frequent).

One resident reported to us that no less than 4 buses were heading into the City on 22nd August – all within sight of each other.

There are a range of issues that need to be addressed. These include the use of GPS systems to regulate the separation of individual services, bus design (to allow for easier access and egress for buses) and ways to reduce the time taken for fare collection.

The issue has attracted media attention with some correspondents pointing to similar historic problems. Convoy working wasn’t nearly as big an issue with the ftr in our view …but there you go.

They claim also that there are similar issues on other services in the City.

The Council has run a “Quality Bus Partnership” for a number of years. It holds quarterly meetings. These meetings (which are held in private) bring together passenger representatives, bus operators and the Council. The minutes of the last meeting can be found here http://tinyurl.com/York-QBP-18th-June-2012.

This is one forum at which issues can be raised. The next meeting is being held on 17th September.

Sheds and garages are being targeted by thieves. Make sure yours is locked http://www.saferyork.org.uk/news/Garage-Guardian.html for advice and to buy shed bars

Police are urging York residents to be vigilant when it comes to securing sheds and garages following a recent rise in thefts.

The past few weeks have insecure sheds and garages (including integral garages) targeted, particularly in the North of the city and police are appealing to residents to ensure that all outbuildings and integral garages are well-secured at all times.

Chief Inspector Phil Cain said: “Residents need to give as much thought to the security of their garages and sheds as they do to their homes. Thieves are well aware that this is often not the case and find easy access to expensive items such as bikes, sports equipment and tools. Please think about the value of the items you are storing and ensure you invest in the appropriate security.”

Safer York Partnership are advising that householders invest in good quality padlocks and to consider the purchase of shed bars and special garage locks. Shed bars prevent the removal of the shed door from its hinges, which is a common means of entry. They also advise that valuable goods such as bikes should be anchored down using a good quality chain and padlock. Anchor points can be bolted to walls or floors.

Shed bars, anchor points, chains and padlocks are all available for purchase from Safer York Partnership. Please telephone 01904 669069.

The Partnership is also currently offering York residents a discount on the Garage Guardian, a garage security device which prevents up and over garage doors from being ‘peeled open’ from the bottom. The Guardian costs £65 (RRP £85) which includes VAT and delivery. Please contact Security Direct on 0808 1 680 680 and quote ‘SYPYO’ and your postcode. One per household and York households only. Please note that credit cards will incur a 2% charge.

Please see www.saferyork.org.uk for further information on all products.

The fixed penalty notice in York for car parking offenders has been set at £80. Anyone paying the fines within 10 days will see the fine discounted to £50.

The options, set by central government, are that fines should “not be less than £60 or more than £80”.

They go on to say, “A discount can be applied to the fixed penalty if paid within 10 days, after discount the fixed penalty must not be less than £40. Local Authorities can set the amount of the fixed penalty and discount. The default amount of £60 will apply if the Authority does not set the amount”.

York has therefore opted for a fine level at the top of the available range.

NB. See previous story which revealed that parking offences in York are continuing to fall.

Police are asking residents to do the neighbourly thing and keep an eye on each others’ properties if they are away on holiday.

They have also reiterated the importance of taking adequate security measures while properties are empty.

“Lately we’ve had an increase in reports of properties being targeted by burglars while people are away on holiday.

“As well as home owners taking the necessary crime prevention measures before they go away, we are asking residents who see any suspicious people or vehicles in their neighbourhood to notify the police.

“If you know your neighbour is away, please keep an eye on their house, and if possible, remove any signs of their absence such as post sticking out of the letterbox, milk left on the doorstep and bins left out in the road. Check their property occasionally to make sure their doors and windows have not been entered.

“Please don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity or people to the police on 101. Or, if you see a crime in progress, please dial 999.”

Police in York are appealing for information after a man was seen loitering in the Hob Moor area of the city.

The man reportedly followed a woman on 3 August 2012, however he did not approach her.

He was wearing a black hooded top with a red zip and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Officers are trying to establish whether the man has followed anyone else in the area over the past few weeks and are appealing to anyone who has seen any suspicious activity on Hob Moor to come forward.
Detective Constable Nick Lane, of York police, said: “It is not believed that this man poses a danger to the general public, however we need to establish whether his loitering on Hob Moor is a regular occurrence.

“I am appealing to anyone who has seen a man acting suspiciously in the area recently to contact the police or Crimestoppers as soon as possible.”

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urge to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for Nick Lane or York police.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12120136017 when passing information about this incident

Acomb Green Summer Fair (Saturday 25 August)

An afternoon of family fun awaits residents and visitors at the third annual Acomb Green Summer Fair this Saturday (25 August).

Why not come along for the falconry display showcasing birds of prey including owls and eagles. Or enter your pooch in the ‘Doggy X Factor’ competition which is free to enter with prizes to be won for the community’s most appealing canines.

Not just that, but the fair will include a bouncy castle, the council’s mobile climbing wall, live music, free sports activities, refreshments – including ice-cream, that summer fair essential – henna tattoos, community stalls for fund-raising and information on local groups..

The fair will run from 1pm-3:30pm and admission to the event and many activities are free of charge. Acomb Green is situated on Wetherby Road/York Road near Front Street. There will be no parking available on site.

For more information, contact Jenny Cairns on 07833 436832 or email jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk

Well at least they’ve had the decency to advertise for actresses to play these all too familiar (?!) York residents.

NADIA (aged 22-27) Inspired by the Cabinet member for Leisure?
Whimsical and graceful, Nadia is the conscientious consumer that we all aspire to be: intelligent, green and what many might assume is a manifestation of the edge of lunacy, but is in fact a passionate soul that never stops desiring.

ZOE (aged 25-30) Inspired by the Council’s Deputy Leader?
Beatnik at the frontline of the young-minded community leading enterprising York forward. Technologically and socially aware, Zoe works hard and plays hard and is an ever-present whether it’s in the real or virtual world.

We dare not ask how much the movie is costing and who’s paying!

Looks like some Labour members have taken very badly the decision of one of their Ex Councillors to come clean about internal disharmony in York.

One former candidate has said it is time to get rid of “more bad apples” in an indiscrete “twitter” exchange.

How far the suggested pogrom will go remains to be seen.

What is emerging though are some fascinating insights into how Labour try to control the flow of information and how they seek to influence residents views.

Apparently they even prepare sanitised letters for their members to send to The Press while using social media to issue a stream of negative stories about opponents.

Definitely something rotten in the fruit bowl we think.

One thing that is apparently uniting Councillors of all parties is the decision (being blamed on the “Invigorating York” project) for the removal of the light which illuminated the steps leading from Lendal Bridge to the Esplanade. (This is a separate issue from the power cable fault which has affected the riverbank walkway in the same area)

The steps are potentially lethal in the dark and when winter arrives ice will add an additional risk.

Time to get the problem sorted out we think.