Massive cuts planned to bus subsidies
The list of proposed cuts will be debated at the full Council Meeting on 15 February 2012
Use these flyers to get more support
http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site615/Documents/Poster Save our buses web version.pdf
http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site615/Documents/SOB flyer local group web version.pdf
News from the Somerset Passenger Transport Forum - 23 June 2011
Cllr Siggs suggested that there will need to be much more
partnership – can we think of other ways of funding or providing
transport in a rural county?
A special task group was set up to look at new ideas.
This task group will report back to a meeting on
7 December 2011, after which the County Council will be consulting on how to implememnt next year's cuts of around £700.000
News from the Somerset Passenger Transport Forum - 24 March 2011
At the Somerset Public Transport Forum held on Thursday 24 March, the representatives of Somerset County Council gave very little apology to those affected by the cuts to bus services planned for 17 April. Councillor Harvey Siggs explained that this year's cuts had been arranged in a hurry to meet the deadlines to cut the coming year's deficit and meet the budget, and that over the next two years equally devastating cuts would be needed to achieve the savings that were announced at the end of last year.
This year's cuts mean that the only few buses running in the evenings and on Sundays will be those funded by Somerset's neighbours (Dorset, Bath and north-east Somerset, North Somerset) or those which operators think may possibly be commercially successful.
The next round of cuts will affect many more people, and it was agreed at the meeting that there will be much more consultation. There will be an extra Public Transport Forum on 23rd June 2011. Cllr Siggs said he hoped that this meeting could be much more of a workshop to discuss radical ideas about the provision of public transport in rural areas, consistent with the drastic cuts in funding that are proposed over the next few years. He suggested that there will need to be much more partnership – can we think of other ways of funding or providing transport in a rural county?
He asked for ideas to be sent in in advance of the meeting, and asked for contributions from all interested parties – bus passengers and user groups, town and parish councils, District Councils, and anyone with ideas.
The meeting will be a public meeting under the auspices of the Council.
The Government says it's listening
The transport select committee would like to hear from anyone in Somerset about
- the importance of local bus services
- how the recent changes (cuts to all Sunday, evening, night and Public Holiday funding) affect local services and how these changes affect you
- the benefits and drawbacks of continuing free travel for elderly and disabled people
- how your views are being taken into account when planning changes to bus services
The committee is inviting written contributions until Easter 2011.
You can find out more about submitting evidence to a select committee by visiting
http://www.parliament.uk/committee-witness-guide
by post to Transport Committee, Room 101, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA or by email to transev@parliament.uk
Use the leaflet here for more information, and pass it on to anyone who may want to comment:
Transport_Committee_Buses_Inquiry_Leaflet-2.pdf
Latest News:
The Government eventually published its comments, and criticised Somerset County Council heavily for not consulting.
£315,434 for Community Transport in Somerset
Written Ministerial Statement
Norman Baker MP, Minister for Regional and Local Transport 9th March 2011
Title: Supporting Community Transport
Today, I am announcing £10-million of new funding to be distributed to rural local transport authorities to kick-start the development of
community transport services in their area.
In addition, we have formed a partnership with the Community Transport
Association to provide each of the 76 rural local authorities in
England with £2,600 worth of consultancy advice on how to establish,
manage and make sustainable community transport operations within
their area. There is the option for local authorities to supplement
this with their own funds to receive further services.
This additional funding complements our recently announced Local
Sustainable Transport Fund which allows local authorities to bid for
a share of £560m over 4 years, aimed at encouraging sustainable
transport solutions, including Community Transport, that will create
economic growth and cut carbon.
Public transport remains a key element in the sustainability and
independence of rural communities: offering young people access to
education and employment opportunities; linking customers to shops
and services; and providing a lifeline to those without access to a car.
Where commercial bus services are not viable, Community Transport can play
a valuable role in preventing isolation. I therefore strongly
encourage local authorities to work in partnership with operators and
local communities to examine how more flexible services might be
provided.
Services such as dial-a-ride can, in some areas, be more efficient, effective
and sustainable in the long term. I know that there are already many
good examples of community groups and local authorities working
together to deliver innovative solutions to rural transport needs and
this is something we wish to see increased.
Today’s package of support for Community Transport represents an important
opportunity to invest in the future to provide more sustainable
transport for local communities.
Somerset Public Transport Forum
Next meeting Thursday 24 March 2011 at 2:00pm in the Luttrell Room, County Hall, Taunton
Come and tell the County Council what you think about the bus cuts, and bring suggestions as to how to improve public transport in Somerset.
Chard and Ilminster News backs campaign against bus cuts
6:20am Thursday 10th March 2011
By Steve Sowden
JOB fears, health concerns, social isolation - just some of the
worries that YOU, our readers, have told us could happen when vital bus
services across the Chard and Ilminster area are scrapped.
Our phones have been deluged with calls from across the patch with
people voicing their dismay at last week's news that bus operator First
is to axe a number of routes from April 17.
These services include the Sunday service from Taunton to Axminster
via Ashill, Ilminster and Chard, as well as late night buses between
this area and the county town.
Now, on YOUR behalf, we have written to First commercial director
Simon Cursio urging him and his colleagues to think again before going
ahead with their plans.
We have printed a copy of the letter on page seven of this week's
Chard and Ilminster News - and are urging readers to follow suit to keep
the pressure on the bus company to think again.
We have told Mr Cursio the controversial plans will cause hardship and
anxiety to people across our community - both young and old.
And we have asked First to think long and hard about the serious implications of what the company is doing.
377 to run on Sundays for trial period
FirstBus are running the 377 on Sundays for a trial period from 17 April 2011 to gauge its commercial viability - USE IT OR LOSE IT