Minister's call to protect rural bus routes
THE Pensions Minister has called for bus services to be regulated to ensure rural Devon routes remain in use and older residents are not cut off from towns and cities.
Angela Eagle told the Senior Council for Devon conference in Exeter, that bus operators should be forced to keep running crucial services, even if they are not profitable.
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Angela Eagle
Her comments came as John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, issued a “use it or lose it” warning over bus transport, saying the authority could not afford to subsidise every route.
Transport was among a wide range of issues affecting older people discussed at the Everyone’s Tomorrow conference at the Matford Centre yesterday.
Ms Eagle, MP for Wallasey in Merseyside, told the meeting that it was crucial to have smaller, more flexible bus services.
She said: “Of course you can’t have a huge double-decker bus on many rural routes, but we want to be able to order bus companies to prevent more decline from rural areas, and ensure buses run at particular times when they are needed.
“At the moment, companies are deregulated, but I think we should change that, so we can procure those services whether they are profitable or not.”
Ms Eagle, who will turn 50 next year, pointed out that the Government had introduced free bus passes for the over 60s to try to tackle the issue, but added: “I recognise that if there are no buses, a senior bus pass isn’t a lot of help.”
Cllr Hart warned that residents of rural communities were “their own worst enemies”, using supermarkets instead of their local businesses, leading to them closing.
And he said the council could not support all rural bus services — particularly those where companies were asking for larger sums of money — because they were underused.
“I say the same thing to everyone — if you have a bus service, use it or otherwise you will lose it,” he said.
4 Comments
by Roy Grove, Exeter
Saturday, March 13 2010, 9:12AM
“I wonder if the bus pass will not become means tested. I'm retired on an occupational pension, but car ownership may become a question mark for many of us. At £5 or so for every gallon of fuel, it's becoming a luxury, but given the rural nature of Devon, one that can't be avoided.
Years and years of driving, have made a ride on the bus a treat for me, or a walk into town. I get annoyed with all this green nonsense & eco facism, but I have to say that congestion is an issue that will have to be tackled. Either that or our roads will become car parks, and our cars, expensive armchairs from which to observe them.
Rural dwellers are forced to commute though, and shift workers, often work hours that preclude public transport. People have to get about, & not everyone can cycle vast distances, & car ownership isn't going to be a constant for everyone.
Cllr Hart seems to have missed the point somewhat. I have friends who live at Tedburn St Mary, and know folk in rural Shropshire, where there are no local businesses to support in either case. Shopping for a family at a local shop can get spensy in a hurry.
We evolved this mobile society, with out of town shopping, & the need to commute for employment. Transport is essential - governments will have to face it”
by Bob, Exeter
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:28PM
“A few years ago I was living with my parents and unemployeed up near Clovelly.
I had no job and would not have been able to get one if it had not been for the bus route - Hartland to Bideford.
So James, would you rather I sat on my butt taking jobseekers allowance, when I could not get to any job as there was no bus service or would you prefered me to get on a subsudised bus service, which allowed me to get to work, pay taxes and contribute to the bus service in 2 ways - through tax and the bus fare?
Tell me James I'm really keen to know.
As it turns out the bus service to Hartland is a god send to many people up there, even if it is not used by many, those who do use it NEED to use it.
Some times James you need to put a bit in to get a lot out - Long live rural bus routes.”
by NIGEL, DREWSTEIGNTON
Friday, March 12 2010, 11:25AM
“What a weak and selfish man you are James not everybody can drive.
think of overs matey we all pay taxes for a service.”
by James, Exeter
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:31AM
“Where would the money come from to subsidise these routes? If we cant afford them, we cant afford them. Will Ms Eagle see some of the money spent in urban areas on transport spent in rural areas? Or maybe some of the millions to be spent on the high speed rail that misses the south west could cover it? This is an urban government that doesnt understand rural areas.”