Bus axe forces staff to cab it
STRANDED workers swapped the bus for a taxi early this morning as sweeping changes to First Cymru's timetable took effect.
Early-risers Emma Patterson, Donna Vaughan and Malcolm Pearson climbed into an Eastside Cabs taxi to get to work after their Morriston Cross to Swansea service was pulled.
The anxious trio said they don't drive, and had to arrange alternative transport to get to work on time.
A total of 24 services have been affected by yesterday's changes, which First Cymru said were necessary following a £200,000 subsidy cut and an alteration to the tendering process.
Miss Patterson, Ms Vaughan and Mr Pearson, of Trallwn, and Bonymaen, said they're desperately hoping the bus operator will reinstate the 5.47am service from Morriston Cross. They said 12-plus workers used it every day.
Ms Vaughan, of Brokesby Road, who catches an onward bus from Swansea city centre to Llanelli where she's the manager of Poundland, said the taxi will cost £45 a week between the three of them, with another passenger joining them on Fridays.
"We keep ringing the bus operator, and they said they'll get the service back on because it's worth it," claimed Ms Vaughan.
A First Cymru spokesman said: "It's definitely being looked at. It's unlikely to happen before the end of August," he said, adding that any route that had been pulled had to be re-registered.
First Cymru said the changes were designed to minimise their impact on passengers and mainly affected early morning, late evening and Sunday services.
Earlier this month the company's commercial director, Kevin Hart, urged passengers to keep using buses so First Cymru could turn previously subsidised routes into commercially viable ones. "Local people will be aware Swansea Council, while continuing to support a number of bus routes, has had to make some savings in light of the current economic conditions," he said.
The council pointed out it was still subsidising local transport services by more than £1.4 million this year.
A council spokesman said priority was being given to retaining core daytime services, adding: "Bus service providers decide whether or not to continue a service."
6 Comments
by Dai Chotomy, Swansea - ish
Monday, June 28 2010, 2:40PM
“I suggested that you grow up Paul Lloyd, not because of your opinions on the lack-of-transport industry, but because of your ridiculous suggestion that abolishing the Mayoralty would somehow release enough money to solve the problem.
You also know that the 2000 Transport Bill would not have solved the problem either. Nothing short of nationalisation of the whole Road Passenger Industry and Railways would do that, and the people who decided to stick ¿New¿ in front of ¿Labour¿ changed the party for ever, so it ain¿t going to happen.
I will make a prediction however, those of us of a certain age can remember buses all over the place. Queues to get to where you were going, and queues to get home. Service buses and reliefs. When people the age we were then reach our certain age they will talk of having buses, as many as one every two hours!”
by Robodragon, pontardawe
Monday, June 28 2010, 1:23PM
“Paul you state "As regards the Labour government not doing something about the bus industry, they introduced the Transport Act 2000 which would have brought back control over bus companies" So what happended for 10 years!
My wife was looking for public transport from Pontardawe to Ammanford for work, only to discover you have to go through Swansea and it takes over 2 hours, you can walk it in just over a hour longer!!!
Sorry but we had 13 years of Labour to correct the damage caused by the previous Conservative Govt. God only knows just what this ConDem Government is going to do.
I assume issue all with bikes to match the new homes they are going to have to move to.”
by Paul Lloyd, Bonymaen Labour Party
Monday, June 28 2010, 12:33PM
“Dai Chotomy. I am grown up. What I am saying is that the Lib-Dem/Independent Swansea Council has got its priorities wrong. As a victim of Thatcher's privatisation of the bus industry (I worked for 22 years for South Wales Transport & I was Chairperson of the Transportation Committee when I represented Llansamlet Ward in the last Labour run Swansea Council) I still have an interest in public transport. As regards the Labour government not doing something about the bus industry, they introduced the Transport Act 2000 which would have brought back control over bus companies. The Lib-Dem /Independent Swansea Council chose to ignore the legislation. Hence the mess we find public transport in.”
by Mike, Swansea Valley
Monday, June 28 2010, 11:53AM
“Dai Chotomy correctly labels the situation on transport subsidy as a national problem which successive parties have failed to address.
But partisan politics aside, I think Paul Lloyd has a point. Swansea has gone for the soft targets in its budget which always seem to affect lower-paid people and those without the ability to influence decisions.
I estimate that money saved by halving the amount of so-called civic hospitality provided by the local authority and cutting out the freebies for councillors in venues such as Liberty Stadium would re-instate at least 6 routes.
I am sure that there are plenty of other opportunities for our councillors to share the pain they seem happy to mete out to their constituents.”
by Dai Chotomy, Swansea - ish
Monday, June 28 2010, 11:32AM
“The problem here is political, but not at Count Hall. The tories deregulated the busses, and Labour did nothing to correct the situation. The result is that we have probably the worst bus services imaginable. It is not possible, although blindingly obvious, to subsidise an underused but essential route with a money making route.
So, the Conservatives cocked it up, Labour did not fix it. What happens now? The Tories will make it worse? Who knows?
And bringing in the Lord Mayor is just plain rediculous. We could solve the entire UK's bus problem if we got rid of the Royal Family as well. Anyone know of a wall we can stand them against? Petty-poltical drivel. Grow up Paul Lloyd.”
by Paul Lloyd, Bonymaen Labour Party
Monday, June 28 2010, 10:39AM
“The lack of interest in this case from County Hall amazes me. The Lib-Dem /Independent Swansea Council say they can't afford to keep the bus service running, yet they can afford a Lord Mayor & his family staying a year in the Mansion House . Plus the committee chairpersons' Special Responsibility Allowances as reported last week. Cllr Holley, sort your house out!”