Local Bus Service Facing Massive Cut

By RedDevil10 | Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 14:59

In May, David Cameron promised that his would be the 'greenest government ever'. A few months later and it seems the Yeovil area has been forgotten as our local bus services face being slashed in half.

Sheila Wheeler, Chief Executive of Conservative-run Somerset County Council, has written to all parish and town councils asking them to take on services that the County Council is planning to axe. In that letter, she outlined SCC's plans to reduce their subsidy for public transport over the next three years, saying: 'this could mean that the current bus network is reduced by about half'.

Ben Hartshorn of the South Somerset Green Party said: "This admission by our County Council disproves the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition claim that they are the 'greenest ever' government. South Somerset Green Party believes we need more and better public transport not fewer buses.

"This will hit the poor and elderly in rural areas the hardest, as they rely on good bus services. It will also be bad news for our environment, as it's likely to force more cars onto the roads for journeys that could otherwise be taken by bus."

Nationally, the Greens say they would increase spending on existing public transport to make rail and bus fares up to 10% cheaper and would:

- Reallocate road-building funds to a programme of investment in public transport

- Provide affordable, cheaper local transport that is accessible to those with disabilities by investing in buses and subsidising some routes

- Re-regulate bus services nationally

- Assist businesses with green workplace travel plans

- Give higher priority to railways and plan for a growing railway network, opening additional stations on existing routes

- Simplify fares for all public transport, with discounted fares for those with low incomes

- Support free local transport for pensioners

Mr Hartshorn added: "This callous cut will isolate many rural communities that rely on an already meagre bus service. It will also be bad news for anybody trying to reduce their carbon footprint by swapping the car for the bus or train.

"The planned rise in rail fairs is predicted to force people off trains and onto our already over-crowded roads. This government isn't green, the 'children of Thatcher' are as deep blue as ever and have no intention of supporting services the public depend on."

What do you think to the possibility that half our local bus service could be lost? Do you live in a remote area or small village where you rely on bus services to get around? Tell us your thoughts below.