First bus are cutting back services and the latest controversy is the no 6 and 7 reductions. The campaigners do not seem to be getting much sympathy from the B&NES Conservative administration – but then I do not think any of them use the bus. For those of us who travel regularly by bus we need a well connected regular reliable service. And more importantly an expanding provision not a shrinking one.

There will be a protest in Larkhall Sq this Saturday. Press release as follows:-

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Save Our 6-7 Buses Campaign 

On Saturday the Save Our 6-7 Bus Campaign takes to the street again, this time not in protest, but to bring news of the latest developments to residents and shoppers in Larkhall.

From a highly visible stand in

Larkhall Square

campaigners will encourage everyone to send a letter to the Bath Council listing reasons why a 30 minute service is needed to keep the bus service viable.   

People need to know that First Group are proposing to revive the circular route connecting Larkhall and Fairfield Park, but only at half the frequency of the former service. 

Pamela Galloway, a campaigner from Fairfield Park, says, “This would be the lowest frequency of any daytime service in the Bath area which is not subsidised by the Council.  The facts are, residents of Odd Down, Foxhill, Bathford, Batheaston, would have better access to Morrisons on the

London Rd

, than residents of

Fairfield Park.  Actually Box Corsham, Chippenham and even Pewsham also would have a better service to Morrisons.  With the 40 minute service Fairfield Park people wouldn’t have as good access to their even their local shops including their own Co-op supermarket and Post Office as these other places.”

Lin Patterson, Larkhall resident and campaigner, asked, “How can we agree to a service that is bad for the community?  The campaign has had to shift its focus from reinstating the loop to fighting for a sustainable bus service.  We know a confusing timetable and an infrequent service will result in a drop in passengers, which would inevitably lead to further cuts.  It has been shown repeatedly that when a service is infrequent, passengers find other means of travel or become more isolated.”

Anne Hardy, who instigated the campaign, added, “We want to emphasise that the B&NES Council has a vital role to play in providing an adequate service.  Part of this is to address the congestion in the city centre so that buses can be reliable.”

Campaigners have realised that another powerful decision making body, the West of England Partnership, must work with First Bus and B&NES Council and the to resolve this crisis.  They are all necessary in any application to the Traffic Commissioner, Sarah Bell, who has the ultimate authority to approve changes.

Pat Mason, a regular bus user, says, “We need to continue putting public pressure on these bodies.  Our aim is to ensure the sustainability of our bus service– the viability of our community depends on this.”