Norfolk County Hall cuts: Impact on transport
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
12:05 PM
On travel and transport, where almost £18.9m is earmarked to be saved over three years, there was a reprieve for subsidies to support rural bus services.
The council had been planning to slash those by £1m in the year ahead, but has decided to instead to save just £420,000.
Almost 200 bus routes have been examined and, after talks between the council and public transport providers, it was agreed all but three services will continue for now.
That will see 23 routes re-jigged, which could range from a minor change in frequency to the removal of some journeys during the day to the combining of services.
The services which will be axed are ‘uneconomic’ Saturday services between Bacton and North Walsham, Loddon to Great Yarmouth and East Harling to Garboldisham.
A saving of £1m will still be made the following year, but council leader Derrick Murphy said the reduction in immediate savings recognised the “crucial role” rural transport plays in Norfolk life.
The proposed change, the council said, would allow more time to develop community transport, such as dial-a-ride and to work with communities and operators.
The Big Conversation saw just 26 responses to that proposal, but 116 on proposals to reduce subsidies for Park and Ride buses in Norwich and 183 responses on closing the travel information desk at Norwich Bus Station.
Cutting subsidies for Park and Ride sites by £2m means fares will rise by 10pc, although the council has abandoned plans to close sites.
The council is also in talks with National Express over an alternative to shutting the information desk at the city’s bus station.
Mr Murphy said: “These discussions are still at an early stage, but we are hopeful that alternative arrangements can be reached.
“However, if this is not possible, it is intended to go ahead with the proposal.”
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5 comments
what no more buses on saturdays how do you get to work £10 each way for a taxi no point in going to work after tax ect on weekend work left with £10 in pocket good for 8hrs work thanks
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keith smith
Saturday, January 22, 2011
shutting the information desk at the city’s bus station. we all know what Surrey street was like with out the presence of staff in the booking office during the operating hours.very unwelcoming with doggy individuates hanging around, this cost saving will just be passed on to the police budget so no saving. passenger having spent 45-70 min on a bus from the rural county nead the basic facility's between connecting to there onward there journeys where is the nearest convince public facility chapelfeild or castle mall but not very accessibly with cases or shopping and only a short connection time
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k day
Friday, January 21, 2011
To close the Bus Station Information desk has got to be has got to be the most short sighted decision ever from a council that obviously has no idea on the impact this will cause for the users of the facility. They obviously have no regard or interest of the views of the people who elected them in the first place! Political normality has been resumed then.
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Martin Jennings
Thursday, January 20, 2011
You would have to be a complete fool to not perceive that this is "smoke and mirrors" spinning of the most dishonest sort.
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T Doff
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I suggested to NCC to ask all P+R bus operators to stop their subsidised service at two bus stations along their route into the City centre, to mark those bus stops and advertise it, so they can pick up paying passengers and decrease this subsidy to car drivers, whilst giving those who pay for it, green commuters without cars, a share of this subsidised ride into the centre. A simple measure that would lower the bloodpressure of those watching empty buses go past, we know we pay for it, so, please fill these buses up with paying passengers who want a ride into the City.
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ingo wagenknecht
Wednesday, January 19, 2011