Proposed cuts to transport − tell us what you think

[Old Cruser]

Seriously folks would we be listened to if we ALL completed the survey and said NO lets keep the service.
I doubt it very much.
So what is the point of spending money drawing up and sending out surveys????? 


We need to save £157 million over the next five years up to 2018.

To help achieve this it is proposed that funding for community transport and council-backed local bus services is withdrawn or reduced.

The proposals, which will be considered by Cabinet on Tuesday (September 30), are:
− Community Transport − to cut grants totalling £1,460,000 by 2016/17
− Local bus − to withdraw a total of £2.5 million towards supported bus services by 2016/17.

There are seven community transport groups in Derbyshire that currently provide a range of services for people who cannot use mainstream public transport. This is either because they have mobility difficulties or they live in areas where transport is limited.

The proposal is to withdraw all funding by 2016/17. This funding currently supports dial-a-bus 'home to shopping' services, aCTive travel - primarily health-related journeys - and a moped loan scheme for people to get to work, education and training offered through Wheels to Work.

Most bus services in Derbyshire are run by commercial operators with no financial support from the county council. But in some less populated areas of the county and at times of the day when journeys are not commercially viable we plug the gap.

The proposal is to withdraw £1m in 2015/16 and a further £1.5 million in 2016/17 from a budget of £3.7m. This would mean bus services having to be withdrawn from large areas of the county and restricting Sunday, early morning and evening services to the towns and larger villages.

Councillor Andy Botham, Deputy Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport said:

We're having to think the unthinkable. We do not want to make these unrelenting cuts which will affect services that local people rely on but we have been left with no choice and some very difficult decisions will have to be made.
"We will not take any decisions lightly and before we agree anything we need to understand what the impact of cutting or reducing funding for any of these transport services will be."

Initial surveys, to find out how well-used the various community transport and council-funded bus services are, are due to be carried out in the autumn. Residents will also be asked what kind of services are a priority.

Further consultation, which will include online and paper questionnaires, face-to-face discussions and promotion through social media, will take place in 2015.

Councillor Botham added: "We are urging people to take part in these surveys and consultations so that we can fully understand the impact of any decisions we may make. We want to ensure the funding that we are still able to provide is put to the best possible use so that we can still enable people to get out and about."

[simondjuk]

So they want to cut local services like that but they can afford to spend £bns on HS2 which no-one will use.

[Pete]

You're not wrong Simon - it's a disgrace.

Pity Labour aren't going to stop it if they get in.

I'm voting Green.

[Fly]

I realise we pay tax, not arguing that point here.
We also pay NI towards the NHS.
I also appreciate the Gov share some of this money to County, and Local Councils for more life things for us.
But when Gov start coming out with £bn plans for things that 95% of the population won't use,
and cut back the funding to councils so people have to lose basic amenities, is there any wonder people get up in arms !!

[ironsky2]

Iv got a suggestion to our government keep out of American wars its amazing how money is found for them but no money for a much needed or much used service like 'Dial a Bus'.

[Pete]

What he said!

[eabbus]

I can't emphasize enough what a difference these cuts will make to peoples lives.
People will become housebound as transport to day centres are the only time they leave their homes.
More people will be in residential homes as a result (more money from somewhere)
The dial a bus is subsidised but we already have to charge a £2 flat fare for it.
The users pay it happily as they enjoy going out and they get help to get their shopping in their homes.
All this will probably end up with some sort of social services care which again will need funding.

[Old Cruser]

I agree - the Dial a bus is much needed by people who otherwise would be isolated, it should be kept even if fares have to be increased.

I'm not sure how much the bus fares are from our village into town as rarely use the bus and when I do I use my bus pass ( bet that gets chopped as well )  but two pounds sounds cheap enough to have an increase - is that an return fare eabbus? Door to door with help carrying shopping - good service that is.

As for Social Care - even they are in jeopardy if it goes private heaven help us!
They have currently reviewed the criteria for help to the vulnerable and elderly and have made cut backs which will isolate people. Then we will hear that Dementia has increased even more, and so cost the NHS more - oh but that's ok as it will probably be private by then!!

@ ironsky2 nI totally agree with you on that one, money can always be found - when they want!!

[eabbus]

Yep £2 return door to door and help with bags etc