Village Bus Service reduced

A version of this appeared in the Randwick Runner in the hope of more debate and as many people were unaware of the change, to publicise that the '230' service that runs Stroud-Paganhill-Randwick - Ruscombe has changed:

A week before the recent elections Ebley Coaches stopped going along 'The Lane' and providing their bus service to the centre of Randwick. They now only stop near the church and at the stops in Bread Street. The remaining Stagecoach bus service is set to follow their example.

The change has been made due to the bus companies concerns relating to the narrowness of the road: in particular the risks in maneuvering past parked cars and delays to the service when cars needed to be moved: on one occasion the bus was delayed nearly 3 hours and on other occasions passengers have missed their forward connections.

I've had phonecalls from several bus users and others who are concerned by this move. Indeed I am also concerned that people, like those with less mobility or heavy shopping, will now find it impossible to use this reduced service. Furthermore this service is already under-used and with this restriction could lead to a further drop in use which in the longer term could contribute to the service being lost all together. I also have concerns that if the bus has difficulties regarding access then what about the Emergency Services? It has been suggested that in an emergency cars can be bumped out of the way. This is surely unsatisfactory?

Lack of consultation

I have to say I have been shocked by the almost non-existent communications to the public over this change to our service and the fact that that timetables were only change last Sunday following my request (old timetable pictured above). I am told that one woman waited for a bus and when it didn't turn up she returned and waited half an hour for the next bus which also didn't turn up.

I have expressed my extreme concern to the County about this lack of consultation and they admit their consultation was poor. They also note that the change was made hurriedly in response to the difficulties noted above and that they will change the displays.

What options are there?

(i) Accept new arrangements: some public transport users are able to walk to the other stops while the Dial-a-Ride scheme maybe able to help some of the others.
(ii) Route change so that the bus comes up from Bread Street and turns near the Village Hall: this has been ruled out at the moment as buses are restricted in where they can reverse and there is apparently not a large enough area to turn near the Village Hall.
(iii) Alternative forms of transport like shared taxis or smaller buses have been ruled out at this stage because of cost.
(iv) The community taking an active role in reminding all to take care with parking: this may not be enough to satisfy bus companies.
(v) Restricting parking times on The Lane near the school: while it is a public highway and their is no automatic right to park there, this move would impact on residents in an area where there is already insufficient parking and would penalise residents when those who have blocked the bus route largely do not live on that road.

This bus service has been described by some users as 'a social event' as regular bus users chat to each other, but I understand this particular bus stop has only ever been used by a handful of people. Clearly there are already problems about the services overall cost and viability. This perhaps explains the very limited public outcry - yet my fear is that this seemingly small change could have a much greater impact on village life than many appreciate - the phrase 'death by a thousand cuts springs' to mind. We often hear that people must 'Use it or lose it', yet small changes like this make it increasingly difficult for people to use a service.

Most agree that public transport is an important part of a healthy village and should be what we are developing, not reducing. The challenge is how to do it in the present climate where public transport services are often poor and expensive.

It is positive that Gloucestershire County Council appear willing to work with the community to find a way to restore the service - but it seems clear that if we want to keep our bus service in the heart of the village and ensure better access by Emergency Services then some form of restricting the parking is the only option. I would welcome views about the best way forward.

Where to now?

Thank you to the people who responded to the article in the Randwick Runner. A bus service in The Lane is by no means ideal but I still see it as preferable to not having one visit the village centre. Options are still being explored but I am not hopeful at this moment that the service will be restored. Please telephone me to hear the latest: 01453 755451


Report problems

Lastly I have had a couple of comments that the bus service has deteriorated over the last year since the new contracts were issued. It is vital that people call the County to let them know of poor service as they can fine operators and put pressure on them to improve: 01452 425985.