The Green Party in Exeter has welcomed planned improvements to city bus services planned for April using Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding awarded to Devon County Council [1]. However, they point to reduced services by Stagecoach on unsubsidised routes which, they say, strengthens the case for public control of buses.
Green Party candidate for St Sidwell’s and St James, Thomas Richardson, said:
“We welcome improvements to city services funded by the BSIP, though it is disappointing that it will only apply to some routes.
“On routes where there is no BSIP funding, Stagecoach seems to have gone into reverse gear, withdrawing morning and evening services on some routes and reducing frequencies on others.
“It is high time we had a franchise model where a transport authority will set the routes, decent frequencies and reasonable fares, in consultation with bus users. Then private-for-profit companies like Stagecoach have a stark choice – operate a decent service under the terms of the franchise, or drive out of town.”
Greens are also calling for improvements to bus priority. Exeter Green councillor, Andy Ketchin, said:
“The number one complaint from bus users is reliability – buses that don’t turn up when they are meant to. The main cause of unreliable services is buses caught up in traffic congestion.
“We need Devon County Council to be bold and implement more enforced bus lanes across the city. This will require taking space away from other traffic, but when people see buses traveling quicker and experience a more reliable service, they are more likely to use them. This in turn reduces congestion and a virtuous circle is achieved.”
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