[lil lexie]

Just wondered if anyone could offer some advice.

We had a bus service set up about a year ago (apparently local councillor negotiated it) only it now appears to have been withdrawn, which is proving to be a real problem with getting to work for a start. Can't believe they withdraw it, it was quite popular.

I really wanted to try and get it back up and running but I haven't a clue where to begin. Just wondered if anyone on here has successfully challenged a decision to withdraw public transport or got a service going? Bit of an odd question I know, but if anyone has any suggestions...

thanks

[Hypnodisc]

Originally Posted by lil lexie

Just wondered if anyone could offer some advice.

We had a bus service set up about a year ago (apparently local councillor negotiated it) only it now appears to have been withdrawn, which is proving to be a real problem with getting to work for a start. Can't believe they withdraw it, it was quite popular.

I really wanted to try and get it back up and running but I haven't a clue where to begin. Just wondered if anyone on here has successfully challenged a decision to withdraw public transport or got a service going? Bit of an odd question I know, but if anyone has any suggestions...

thanks

Sorry, I can't really help - but out of interest where are you?

You must be living in one of the smallest villages/hamlets to not have a bus route that goes through!

Pretty disgraceful though

[lil lexie]

Originally Posted by Hypnodisc

Sorry, I can't really help - but out of interest where are you?

You must be living in one of the smallest villages/hamlets to not have a bus route that goes through!

Pretty disgraceful though

The Black Country, just outside Birmingham.

It was a great service, obviously much needed hence the reason why they put it on in the first place, just seems crazy that it's been withdrawn when so many people relied on it.

[Hypnodisc]

Originally Posted by lil lexie

The Black Country, just outside Birmingham.

It was a great service, obviously much needed hence the reason why they put it on in the first place, just seems crazy that it's been withdrawn when so many people relied on it.

Wow.. Would never have thought that.

I envisioned you were living in the outer Hebrides of Scotland or somewhere with a population of less than 50

[lil lexie]

Originally Posted by Hypnodisc

Wow.. Would never have thought that.

I envisioned you were living in the outer Hebrides of Scotland or somewhere with a population of less than 50

LOL, yes it does feel like that much of the time.



Just looked on the bus company website and it says

'Morning and evening peak journeys amended to improve reliability.'

WTF does that mean? 'Amended' as in 'taken off' and it's not just the peak services, it's been completely withdrawn.

They also state on their website regarding the other 6 services in the area that have stopped due to 'lack of patronage'. I assume this means the free handouts, sorry funding has expired.

It's absolute bollox

[xButterflyWingx]

You could start with a formal letter to whoever it is who has withdrawn this bus service, make it a strong letter and let them know how much it is not only affecting you but other and how for the good of the community who use this service they should seriously re-consider there withdrawl of the bus. You could also encourage others to write to the councillor responsible and support your letters with a petition.

I'm sorry it's not much help, but it's worth a try. I hope you get some posotive results from this

[lil lexie]

Originally Posted by xButterflyWingx

You could start with a formal letter to whoever it is who has withdrawn this bus service, make it a strong letter and let them know how much it is not only affecting you but other and how for the good of the community who use this service they should seriously re-consider there withdrawl of the bus. You could also encourage others to write to the councillor responsible and support your letters with a petition.

I'm sorry it's not much help, but it's worth a try. I hope you get some posotive results from this

No, that's sound advice BW and much appreciated. Trouble is with this area, there isn't much in the way of community spirit, so it's hard for me to try and set up a petition, saying that I'm currently scouring the net looking for forums where it might be being discussed and hopefully get people to sign their names. But I think I will write to the bus company and express my dissatisfaction.

Just read an interview regarding the withdrawal of bus services from this area ( which incidentally has been dubbed the 'Bermuda Triangle', how apt) and the spokes person claims the reason why they are withdrawing the services is because 'of the amount of traffic in this region'. WTF?!!!

I'm just so angry.

I've a good mind to send a letter to the Minister for transport asking them how I'm supposed to hold on to my job when the bus services are being withdrawn.

[fat controller]

I would start by writing to the bus company concerned, and ask why the service has been withdrawn. If they suggest that the service is still running, then your next move would be to contact the local council (if there is any subsidy for local bus services will come from them), and/or your local Traffic Commissioner (your local police station will give you the contact details); all local bus service routes have to be registered with the Traffic Commissioner, and part of that registration process includes the operator specifying which roads they will traverse, and how frequently the service will run.

If the operator is not running the service as agreed by the Traffic Commissioner, then they will be in hot water.

[xButterflyWingx]

Originally Posted by lil lexie

No, that's sound advice BW and much appreciated. Trouble is with this area, there isn't much in the way of community spirit, so it's hard for me to try and set up a petition, saying that I'm currently scouring the net looking for forums where it might be being discussed and hopefully get people to sign their names. But I think I will write to the bus company and express my dissatisfaction.

Just read an interview regarding the withdrawal of bus services from this area ( which incidentally has been dubbed the 'Bermuda Triangle', how apt) and the spokes person claims the reason why they are withdrawing the services is because 'of the amount of traffic in this region'. WTF?!!!

I'm just so angry.

I've a good mind to send a letter to the Minister for transport asking them how I'm supposed to hold on to my job when the bus services are being withdrawn.

I'm sorry to hear how much dissruption it's caused you and something certainly needs to be done about it. Your last point about writing to the Minister for Transport is also a good idea which you could try.

Let us know how you get on

[lil lexie]

Originally Posted by fat controller

I would start by writing to the bus company concerned, and ask why the service has been withdrawn. If they suggest that the service is still running, then your next move would be to contact the local council (if there is any subsidy for local bus services will come from them), and/or your local Traffic Commissioner (your local police station will give you the contact details); all local bus service routes have to be registered with the Traffic Commissioner, and part of that registration process includes the operator specifying which roads they will traverse, and how frequently the service will run.

If the operator is not running the service as agreed by the Traffic Commissioner, then they will be in hot water.

Thanks again for the advice.

I was originally going to contact the local councillor who instigated the bus service but I've just found out that he's currently under investigation for bank robbery - only in The Black Country. But I'll definitely try the Traffic Commissioner route.

Thanks again.

[fat controller]

Originally Posted by lil lexie

Thanks again for the advice.

I was originally going to contact the local councillor who instigated the bus service but I've just found out that he's currently under investigation for bank robbery - only in The Black Country. But I'll definitely try the Traffic Commissioner route.

Thanks again.

That isn't as surprising as you might think - as far as I am concerned the vast majority of the people that are in places of influence or power in this country are as corrupt and bent as £9 notes.

[mirandashell]

Get on to the Evening Mail as well. They love a good story about transport. And they love laying into local councillors.

[hugsie]

Centro

http://www.centro.org.uk/getintouch/getintouch.aspx
http://www.centro.org.uk/corporateinformation/tuf.aspx
these links might help you find some answers.

[rozafa]

There is no bus service in your area? And you live in the midlands... that is awful. Have you thought about getting in touch the media... they might be interested in a story like this. It would perhaps shame the bus company into reintroducing the service.

[lil lexie]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

Found out today that they are planning to put the service back on at the end of the month but it will only run on a Sunday - d'oh!! (bangs head against brick wall)



But thanks again, some very useful leads there.

[Thanhuk]

Originally Posted by lil lexie

Thanks for all the replies folks.

Found out today that they are planning to put the service back on at the end of the month but it will only run on a Sunday - d'oh!! (bangs head against brick wall)

But thanks again, some very useful leads there.

I work for 'A' bus company in the West Midlands so will be able to answer some of the questions you have posted above.

If a service has been withdrawn due to 'lack of patronage' then it is exactly that - a lack of people using that service! Outside the London region, a bus service needs to make a profit and this comes from fare paying passengers (be it through cash fare or buying a bus pass). Revenue is not made if a bus is used purely for OAPS.

As you live in the West Midlands you WILL have other services around your area which you could use - you may have to use more than 1 bus however there will be a bus service. Everyone within this area must be within something like 250m of a bus stops (or there abouts). This means you will have a bus service in some shape or form serving you.

At the end of the day, a bus company is there to make a profit. If a service is not being used, that vehicle(s) could be used more efficently used on another, busier service.

[Thanhuk]

Forgot to add, a service will only be subsidised if it falls out of certain requirements.

As shown, the service falls outside these requirements on a sunday, however during the week you have other alternatives.