Bus Cuts? Drop in sessions

Having recently attended some meetings on bus services, I made a report to Whitchurch Town Council.

Whilst it is unlikely that Whitchurch will 'suffer' cuts to our direct services (76/86) we do need to be vigilant, particularly with regard to the older person bus pass and the provision of timetabling information.
It was also very pleasing that the Town Council supported the idea I put forward to run some Drop-in sessions to help local people respond to Hampshire County Council's consultations on changes.

These will be on May 10th and 15th at the Town Hall.

For details see:
BUS SERVICE CONSULTATION DROP IN SESSIONS
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REPORT ON TRANSPORT MATTERS
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I have attended two Passenger Transport Meetings that were both focussing on the proposed cuts to support given to bus services by Hampshire County Council, although they prefer to call them 'savings'.

INTRODUCTION

HCC is aiming to reduce their support by £1.25 - £1.5 million and are going out to consultation with a number of options.
(Throughout Hampshire) Sunday services could be reduced or removed, evening buses stopped, older persons travel support reduced, and changes to community transport made.

The services affected in Whitchurch could be :

• the reduction/removal of support for the older persons bus pass pre-9.30am.
• other services in adjacent areas.
• changes in how timetables are presented.
• the Basingstoke Dial-a-Ride Community Transport Service.
  
  Note:
  The evening/weekend 76 is supported by Basingstoke and Deane so is not part of this exercise. However, this support may also be at risk (review believed to be next year).

Full details of HCC's exercise is here:
HCC CONSULTATION ON BUS SERVICES


REPORTS FROM THE MEETINGS:

SATURDAY 15th MARCH - HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

Held at the Castle specially for Parish representatives, this meeting was well-attended by around 60 people.
It started with a detailed presentation on 'Village Agents' - not an underground spy network, but a scheme of local volunteers, trained by HCC in some of the more rural communities. They give help to the more elderly section of the population on a whole range of activities from health to home safety. Some even run fitness classes in an aim to reduce demand on health services.

The link to transport cuts was tenuous and I think HCC made a mistake in using the limited time to promote this, however worthy it might be.

 There followed a presentation named 'New Buses, Record Passengers, Winning Awards'. It covered some major works HCC and bus operators are investing in, including nearly £3million spend on Andover Bus Station as well as other projects mainly in the south of the County.

HCC made much of the investment in improved bus comfort, installation of in-bus wifi and real-time travel information systems as well as the numerous awards HCC have won. This raised questions on whether so much time and finance should be spent on these expensive enhancements when services were being cut.

One delegate said "There will be rebellion in the villages".

My feeling of the meeting was that what is wanted are more and better services, although in many places any service at all would be an improvement.

The workshop parts of the meeting were cancelled due to lack of time - very disappointing.


WEDNESDAY 2nd APRIL - BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE MEETING

Attendance at this was around 40 and it covered similar ground to the HCC meeting, but without the Village Agents. Neither was much made of all the money being spent on 'projects' or awards won. Instead the focus was on the possible changes required to meet the reduced budget.

In my opinion this meeting was much better managed with all the options clearly explained and I learned a lot.

A very worthwhile group workshop session was held when constructive discussion on transport needs took place. Regarding Whitchurch I raised the special needs of rural areas, the requirements of shift workers and young people, how taxi-share services could work, combined train/bus ticketing, and the effects of cuts to the older persons pass, amongst other issues.


WHAT COMES NOW

Consultation now takes place until the end of May. This is for both individuals and organizations, and the Town Council should respond.

Local groups are urged to run local consultation events. The Town Council could, and I believe should, lead on this.


PROPOSAL (Note: the Town Council approved this, details at top)

I propose we actively encourage local responses to the Consultation by:

• 1. organise a public meeting in early May and as well as Whitchurch residents and groups, invite representatives from all local parishes to attend.
• 2. hold two daytime drop in sessions to encourage comment.
  
  (These could also possibly include references to the Neighbourhood Plan travel elements and the Sustainability Transport Forum.

These can be advertised widely and we can help people and organisations and enable the Town Council to respond meaningfully to the proposals.


*** We will need to fight and lobby hard to keep our services. ***