Here in Sheffield their have been drastic cuts to bus services ,routes that were previously had bus every ten minutes reduced to every half hour or completely withdrawn. The result been chaos people struggling to get to work and fares were increased which fueled public angry some have called for the council to run the bus service and booting out of both First and Stagecoach companies who undertook the changes with out listening to what the people wanted . Also a company called Tates who ran the rural services have gone bust yesterday as funding for their routes gets pulled. In Chesterfield the problem here is one company holds the reins all well and good but if funding gets drastically cut liked here in Sheffield has and the company has to run routes out of its own money the less profitable ones will be axed first leaving areas without a service so unless you live near or on a major route it will be tough luck.
Blair brought in free travel for pensioners. Gradually funding from central government to local government in terms of funding free travel has almost disappeared. The Bus companies have tried to absorb this reduction whilst keeping fares reasonable. Whilst some funding still exists, I'm not sure how much longer this will last.
Whilst the history of Stagecoach can be hailed as a business phenomenon from it's original venture, there is no wonder that smaller bus companies are going to the wall. I fear for the likes of Hulley's & G&J Holmes - long established private firms - without funding or enough profit could fold.
We sent "reserve" buses & drivers to help out Tate's demise as soon as it unfolded so they still had a service.
If local authorities seize control of bus operations, then I guess drivers wages would be substantially reduced - so how would they fill the jobs? The training for a starter to pass his/her PCV test is substantial & costly, the CPC regulations we have to comply with require regular training.
Topic: One for Scimitar. Bus routes under threat ! (Read 2862 times)