Earlier in the year, I reported that KCC was reducing its planned savings from subsidsied bus services from £2 million to £455,000. This would be followed by a 'big conversation' with parish councils and other key community groups regarding the best way to deliver transport services that can tackle rural isolation.
The County Council has now confirmed that, following discussions with the bus companies (in particular, Stagecoach and Go Coach) it will propose some small changes that will convert subsidised to commercial routes, delivering the necessary savings without affecting access to services or routes to school. In the case of Go Coach, this will involve moving the 404 (Edenbridge to Sevenoaks) service from being a home to school to a commercial service, still nonetheless providing school students with a route to school.
It is anticipated that the 'big conversation' will follow in April and May, with the expectation that in June there will be a Rural Bus Summit, on the successful model of Kent Rail Summits.
KCC's Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee will debate these proposals next Tuesday, 20 March.
No comments:
Post a Comment