Seamless rescue for axed service achieved for 2,000 residents - 30th June '08 E-mail
Residents used to a very limited service into Bath every day are rejoicing after first receiving news that this service was to be dropped from 24th June.
After intense negotiations between local councillors Nathan Hartley and Sarah Bevan, council officers and First Bus, a much better bus service has been secured, thanks also to the Faresaver supported bus service.
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Councillors Sarah Bevan and Nathan Hartley welcome the new bus services in Orchard Way
First Bus dropped service 175 from the new estate into Bath, citing a drop in profit margins and rising fuel costs, but local councillors had long been trying to persuade the company to allow some of the services passing through the original village to loop round to the new estate, thus providing a much needed service with minimum cost to the company.
This has now been achieved, along with two additional daily services, now to be known as the 775 provided by Faresaver. The loop service first thing every morning will be provided by the number 184 doing a loop round the village on its way into the city.
Cllr Bevan said:
"The discrepancy between bus provision for the original part of the village, which has a service into Bath every 15-20 minutes peak times, compared to that provided to the new estates was really not balanced for all the residents. I am very pleased indeed with this outcome. It does demonstrate that decisions by private companies can be reversed, and that everyone involved recognises the need to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport."
Residents have been given leaflets detailing all the changes and new services. The information telephone lines are as follows:
Faresaver 01249 444 444; First Somerset and Avon 0845 606 4446.
Cllr Hartley added:
"This is in addition to the 757 Wednesday only service into Bath, so I am very grateful for the support we received from the council's own public transport officers who really worked hard and promptly to find a replacement service. I would be happy to receive enquiries from residents who may not have seen the leaflets and welcome feedback from everyone who supported the new timetable."
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