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More and more are on the buses
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| HIGH RISE IN PASSENGER NUMBERS: Buses in Bournemouth Square |
AS FUEL prices continue to rise and driving costs soar, more Bournemouth residents are switching to bus travel, according to new figures.
During the past year the number of bus passenger journeys in the borough has increased by 18 per cent, one of the highest rises in the country.
Bournemouth council, which has just withdrawn its subsidy from some routes formerly run by Yellow Buses, insists that rising passenger numbers reflect routes being linked to demand.
But critics, including Cllr Ron Whittaker, are furious that less profitable routes in outlying areas like Throop and Muscliff are being curtailed.
He said: "There was absolutely no consultation about council funding being withdrawn for the Yellow Buses 4b service.
"From May 25 it will not be running via Chesildene Drive and Shillingstone Drive during weekday evenings and Sundays.
"While our local bus services are being cut, new services are being funded in other parts of the borough.
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander."
Although Yellow Buses was sold off by Bournemouth council, the authority still subsidises some routes.
But Cllr Robert Lawton, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We've made significant improvements to ensure buses are available where demand is high.
"Unfortunately there will be some areas of Bournemouth where buses are being withdrawn but we have made every effort to provide alternative arrangements, where possible, to minimise any inconvenience.
"We received a number of requests for additional routes and although we cannot accommodate them all, by providing some additional routes, on a trial basis over the next six months, we can assess whether they should continue."
Bus changes include a new evening and Sunday service between Bournemouth Hospital and Kinson, a new service for the Littledown area and new all-night services at weekends between Bournemouth and Westbourne, Parkstone, Poole, Charminster, Boscombe and Iford.
5:57am Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: John, Poole on 7:58am Thu 15 May 08
[quote]new all-night services at weekends between Bournemouth and Westbourne, Parkstone, Poole, Charminster, Boscombe and Iford.[/quote]
Matthew Gillett of
Branksome East Liberal Democrats has been campaigning for the weekend night service bus route to be extended to the University.
This would benefit students by having cheaper fares and local residents by not having numerous taxis on their doorstep in the middle of the night.
new all-night services at weekends between Bournemouth and Westbourne, Parkstone, Poole, Charminster, Boscombe and Iford.
Matthew Gillett of
Branksome East Liberal Democrats has been campaigning for the weekend night service bus route to be extended to the University.
This would benefit students by having cheaper fares and local residents by not having numerous taxis on their doorstep in the middle of the night.
Posted by: pilot, Bournemouth on 8:37am Thu 15 May 08
With fuel prices rising almost daily. The bus fares are going to rise to cover the costs. We cannot win.
With fuel prices rising almost daily. The bus fares are going to rise to cover the costs. We cannot win.
Posted by: Newsreader, North Dorset on 8:54am Thu 15 May 08
Public transport is all very well in towns and cities but in rural areas it is impossible to live without a car.
I agree wholeheartedly with pilot's comment as I am sure that the bus fares will increase "to cover higher fuel prices".
Public transport is all very well in towns and cities but in rural areas it is impossible to live without a car.
I agree wholeheartedly with pilot's comment as I am sure that the bus fares will increase "to cover higher fuel prices".
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 11:28am Thu 15 May 08
Firstly, it is obvious to everyone, including hopefully the reporter of this story, and those mentioned in it that if fuel prices keep rising then fares will rise also. The public transport system is diabolical as it is, and can only get worse in the present climate.
An increase in use is beyond me. On my travels I see many empty buses on routes such as No's 5s, 6s, and many more. At the same time it appears also that the level of private transport has not reduced either, which would be the effect if public transport passengers had increased.
It appears the figures are all wrong.
Until the prices of fuel come down, which ever we use, it is not going to be cheap.
STAY AWAY FROM BP AND ESSO
Firstly, it is obvious to everyone, including hopefully the reporter of this story, and those mentioned in it that if fuel prices keep rising then fares will rise also. The public transport system is diabolical as it is, and can only get worse in the present climate.
An increase in use is beyond me. On my travels I see many empty buses on routes such as No's 5s, 6s, and many more. At the same time it appears also that the level of private transport has not reduced either, which would be the effect if public transport passengers had increased.
It appears the figures are all wrong.
Until the prices of fuel come down, which ever we use, it is not going to be cheap.
STAY AWAY FROM BP AND ESSO
Posted by: davey, bournemouth on 11:51am Thu 15 May 08
I am going to buy a Bike for £200, My figures show if I cycle to work 14 miles once a week and do the odd trip using my bike instead of the car then i will pay for the bike within a year.
If everybody did similar things to this then the demand for petrol would be less and prices could not continue to rise, 1/5th less demand just for one day a week!!
I am going to buy a Bike for £200, My figures show if I cycle to work 14 miles once a week and do the odd trip using my bike instead of the car then i will pay for the bike within a year.
If everybody did similar things to this then the demand for petrol would be less and prices could not continue to rise, 1/5th less demand just for one day a week!!
Posted by: Angus, Bournemouth on 2:38pm Thu 15 May 08
I gave up my car in December and bought a bike for £400. By cycling 6 miles a day instead of using the bus, I will have saved enough to cover the cost of the bike in under 6 months.
I gave up my car in December and bought a bike for £400. By cycling 6 miles a day instead of using the bus, I will have saved enough to cover the cost of the bike in under 6 months.
Posted by: Newsreader, North Dorset on 3:48pm Thu 15 May 08
I live 25 miles away from Poole and Bournemouth so have a 50 mile round trip each day. However much I would like to get fit there's no way I could cycle in each day!
I live 25 miles away from Poole and Bournemouth so have a 50 mile round trip each day. However much I would like to get fit there's no way I could cycle in each day!
Posted by: Newsreader, North Dorset on 3:48pm Thu 15 May 08
I live 25 miles away from Poole and Bournemouth so have a 50 mile round trip each day. However much I would like to get fit there's no way I could cycle in each day!
I live 25 miles away from Poole and Bournemouth so have a 50 mile round trip each day. However much I would like to get fit there's no way I could cycle in each day!
Posted by: Newsreader, North Dorset on 3:49pm Thu 15 May 08
I don't know how that happened!
I don't know how that happened!
Posted by: omegaman, Bournemouth on 4:28pm Thu 15 May 08
Why did Cllr Whittaker vote to sell off the bus company then?
Why did Cllr Whittaker vote to sell off the bus company then?
Posted by: PETE WOODLEY on 5:06pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]omegaman[/bold] wrote:
Why did Cllr Whittaker vote to sell off the bus company then?[/quote] Interesting point,will we get a answer.
omegaman wrote:
Why did Cllr Whittaker vote to sell off the bus company then?
Interesting point,will we get a answer.
Posted by: A local resident, Poole on 6:51pm Thu 15 May 08
Cycling is defintely the way to go, it's saving me £80 a month cycling to work and back across Poole. It also takes no more time during the rush hour as I go past the long queues of traffic. I've noticed a significant increase in the amount of people cycling to work.
I've put £20 in the tank since Easter and feel much fitter - it's the way forward
Cycling is defintely the way to go, it's saving me £80 a month cycling to work and back across Poole. It also takes no more time during the rush hour as I go past the long queues of traffic. I've noticed a significant increase in the amount of people cycling to work.
I've put £20 in the tank since Easter and feel much fitter - it's the way forward
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 7:05pm Thu 15 May 08
[bold]More and more are on the buses you say.[/bold]
Well, did I get [bold]an awakening[/bold] on this Wednesday. I boarded the W&D 150 from just one stop up from the [bold]Triangle Bus terminal[/bold] and it was almost full. When the Bus got to Westbourne a few stops away the driver stopped the bus and came up stairs to find [bold]just ONE SPARE seat left[/bold] .
Wouldn't you think they W&D would like to [bold]capitalise[/bold] on the boom and [bold]put on more busses?[/bold]
If ever a foreign enterprise is needed to compete [bold][italic]is has a brilliant opportunity[/italic][/bold] .
The bus had a [bold]great number of fare paying customers,[/bold] not all were riding on a Bus Pass.
More and more are on the buses you say.
Well, did I get
an awakening on this Wednesday. I boarded the W&D 150 from just one stop up from the
Triangle Bus terminal and it was almost full. When the Bus got to Westbourne a few stops away the driver stopped the bus and came up stairs to find
just ONE SPARE seat left .
Wouldn't you think they W&D would like to
capitalise on the boom and
put on more busses?
If ever a foreign enterprise is needed to compete
is has a brilliant opportunity .
The bus had a
great number of fare paying customers, not all were riding on a Bus Pass.
Posted by: seafrontpatroller, Beach Hut on 7:07pm Thu 15 May 08
If people don't like taking the bus there is a good scheme running at carsharedorset.com
If people don't like taking the bus there is a good scheme running at carsharedorset.com
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 7:13pm Thu 15 May 08
Incidentally the 150 Bus is a [bold]Double Decker[/bold] with a capacity of about [bold]82 Passengers[/bold]
Incidentally the 150 Bus is a
Double Decker with a capacity of about
82 Passengers
Posted by: philly, bournemouth on 7:35am Fri 16 May 08
As mentioned before....what does one do with a toddler and the 11 bags of shopping for the week? Cant use bikes or buses for this! And with no local shops anymore the possibility of shopping for little bits every day has gone too. The old and infirm cannot use public transport as it is not 'user-friendly'. Only alternative is on line shopping which just isolates people who love the trip to the shops for a chat etc. Just because they think there are more people using the buses doesnt mean that everyone can. The people who now cycle & use the bus are people who should have done it before and then maybe our roads would not be so packed for the people who have no choice but to use a car.
As mentioned before....what does one do with a toddler and the 11 bags of shopping for the week? Cant use bikes or buses for this! And with no local shops anymore the possibility of shopping for little bits every day has gone too. The old and infirm cannot use public transport as it is not 'user-friendly'. Only alternative is on line shopping which just isolates people who love the trip to the shops for a chat etc. Just because they think there are more people using the buses doesnt mean that everyone can. The people who now cycle & use the bus are people who should have done it before and then maybe our roads would not be so packed for the people who have no choice but to use a car.
Posted by: The-bleeding-obvious, Bournemouth on 8:47am Fri 16 May 08
How long before the counil have to reduce parking charges in the town centre to get people back in their cars?
How long before the counil have to reduce parking charges in the town centre to get people back in their cars?
Posted by: Victoria Colthup, Bournemouth on 12:40pm Fri 16 May 08
I would like to add that when I was a child my mother was a single parent with no car. She had a basket on the front for the shopping and a seat on the back for me. She even sang as she cycled along. Go and buy a secondhand bike for £40 -so you may have to fix the brakes on it, but you will get fitter and be happier. My husband and I used to drive an old banger, but unfortunately it died of old age (R.I.P)- however - we are saving over £1000 per year not running it. (No need to pay a gym membership!!) We cannot park anywhere near work, so we have been cycling in for years. As far as shopping is concerned, we are living in privileged times, certain supermarkets only charge a fiver or so for delivery –if you do a monthly shop it ends up cheaper to pay this than to keep a car on the road. Even if the delivery charge rises to £10 it will still be cheaper. I must admit I don’t really like travelling on the bus, as it takes me 25 mins to cycle to work in the fresh air, and is free, but it takes an hour to make the journey by bus and costs £2. Cycling is the way to go!!!
I would like to add that when I was a child my mother was a single parent with no car. She had a basket on the front for the shopping and a seat on the back for me. She even sang as she cycled along. Go and buy a secondhand bike for £40 -so you may have to fix the brakes on it, but you will get fitter and be happier. My husband and I used to drive an old banger, but unfortunately it died of old age (R.I.P)- however - we are saving over £1000 per year not running it. (No need to pay a gym membership!!) We cannot park anywhere near work, so we have been cycling in for years. As far as shopping is concerned, we are living in privileged times, certain supermarkets only charge a fiver or so for delivery –if you do a monthly shop it ends up cheaper to pay this than to keep a car on the road. Even if the delivery charge rises to £10 it will still be cheaper. I must admit I don’t really like travelling on the bus, as it takes me 25 mins to cycle to work in the fresh air, and is free, but it takes an hour to make the journey by bus and costs £2. Cycling is the way to go!!!
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 12:51pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Carl Barron[/bold] wrote:
[bold]More and more are on the buses you say.[/bold]
Well, did I get [bold]an awakening[/bold] on this Wednesday. I boarded the W&D 150 from just one stop up from the [bold]Triangle Bus terminal[/bold] and it was almost full. When the Bus got to Westbourne a few stops away the driver stopped the bus and came up stairs to find [bold]just ONE SPARE seat left[/bold] .
Wouldn't you think they W&D would like to [bold]capitalise[/bold] on the boom and [bold]put on more busses?[/bold]
If ever a foreign enterprise is needed to compete [bold][italic]is has a brilliant opportunity[/italic][/bold] .
The bus had a [bold]great number of fare paying customers,[/bold] not all were riding on a Bus Pass.
[/quote] They are putting more on the 150 (or 50 as it will be renumbered) from 27th May.
Carl Barron wrote:
More and more are on the buses you say.
Well, did I get an awakening on this Wednesday. I boarded the W&D 150 from just one stop up from the Triangle Bus terminal and it was almost full. When the Bus got to Westbourne a few stops away the driver stopped the bus and came up stairs to find just ONE SPARE seat left .
Wouldn't you think they W&D would like to capitalise on the boom and put on more busses?
If ever a foreign enterprise is needed to compete is has a brilliant opportunity .
The bus had a great number of fare paying customers, not all were riding on a Bus Pass.
They are putting more on the 150 (or 50 as it will be renumbered) from 27th May.
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 2:35pm Fri 16 May 08
For the changes see
http://www.wdbus.co.
uk/htm/ttOther/tt_25
_may.pdf
For the changes see
http://www.wdbus.co.
uk/htm/ttOther/tt_25
_may.pdf
Posted by: jobsworthwatch, Bournemouth on 3:38pm Fri 16 May 08
To keep the impetus going the council should set an example by closing their free staff car parking and issuing bus passes to their employees. The council carparks could then be used by real town centre workers!
To keep the impetus going the council should set an example by closing their free staff car parking and issuing bus passes to their employees. The council carparks could then be used by real town centre workers!
Posted by: fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown on 3:55pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]jobsworthwatch[/bold] wrote:
To keep the impetus going the council should set an example by closing their free staff car parking and issuing bus passes to their employees. The council carparks could then be used by real town centre workers! [/quote] I agree, free parking for Town Hall staff is a disgrace, they should be made to pay like the rest of us or use Public Transport at their own expense - they should not be given free bus passes.
jobsworthwatch wrote:
To keep the impetus going the council should set an example by closing their free staff car parking and issuing bus passes to their employees. The council carparks could then be used by real town centre workers!
I agree, free parking for Town Hall staff is a disgrace, they should be made to pay like the rest of us or use Public Transport at their own expense - they should not be given free bus passes.
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 4:44pm Fri 16 May 08
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 12:51pm today
[bold]Quote [/bold] They are putting more on the 150 (or 50 as it will be renumbered) from 27th May.
[bold]Reply [/bold] Yes [bold]exessexman[/bold] , they have told me the same story too.
A whole lot of [bold]Magical Things[/bold] are supposed to happen by W&D from the 27th May.
Such as the [bold]New X12 [/bold] Bus will replace both the 121 Service and the 123 Service.
So you [bold]just hop on a bus and take it for granted[/bold] that the bus is going to take the route you want?
The [bold]W&D Web Site[/bold] is also having a major upgrade so [bold]I'm informed[/bold] which they say will take [bold]about 4 months to complete[/bold] . By that time we will be entering into Winter and [bold]all the trade[/bold] that could have been, [bold]will have been lost[/bold] due to [bold]Bad Management.[/bold]
Why did [bold]they not[/bold] program the Bus Routes and thier web site before the summer began?
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 12:51pm today
Quote They are putting more on the 150 (or 50 as it will be renumbered) from 27th May.
Reply Yes
exessexman , they have told me the same story too.
A whole lot of
Magical Things are supposed to happen by W&D from the 27th May.
Such as the
New X12 Bus will replace both the 121 Service and the 123 Service.
So you
just hop on a bus and take it for granted that the bus is going to take the route you want?
The
W&D Web Site is also having a major upgrade so
I'm informed which they say will take
about 4 months to complete . By that time we will be entering into Winter and
all the trade that could have been,
will have been lost due to
Bad Management.
Why did
they not program the Bus Routes and thier web site before the summer began?
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 7:21am Mon 19 May 08
[quote][bold]Carl Barron[/bold] wrote:
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 12:51pm today
[bold]Quote [/bold] They are putting more on the 150 (or 50 as it will be renumbered) from 27th May.
[bold]Reply [/bold] Yes [bold]exessexman[/bold] , they have told me the same story too.
A whole lot of [bold]Magical Things[/bold] are supposed to happen by W&D from the 27th May.
Such as the [bold]New X12 [/bold] Bus will replace both the 121 Service and the 123 Service.
So you [bold]just hop on a bus and take it for granted[/bold] that the bus is going to take the route you want?
The [bold]W&D Web Site[/bold] is also having a major upgrade so [bold]I'm informed[/bold] which they say will take [bold]about 4 months to complete[/bold] . By that time we will be entering into Winter and [bold]all the trade[/bold] that could have been, [bold]will have been lost[/bold] due to [bold]Bad Management.[/bold]
Why did [bold]they not[/bold] program the Bus Routes and thier web site before the summer began?
[/quote] I think you'll find that even people associated with W&D feel that the X12 will muddle people, and that the company is often not very smart. I am just an ordinary bloke who tries to keep abreast of matters and share. This messenger does not appreciate being shot. That's what you seem to be doing.
Carl Barron wrote:
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 12:51pm today
Quote They are putting more on the 150 (or 50 as it will be renumbered) from 27th May.
Reply Yes exessexman , they have told me the same story too.
A whole lot of Magical Things are supposed to happen by W&D from the 27th May.
Such as the New X12 Bus will replace both the 121 Service and the 123 Service.
So you just hop on a bus and take it for granted that the bus is going to take the route you want?
The W&D Web Site is also having a major upgrade so I'm informed which they say will take about 4 months to complete . By that time we will be entering into Winter and all the trade that could have been, will have been lost due to Bad Management.
Why did they not program the Bus Routes and thier web site before the summer began?
I think you'll find that even people associated with W&D feel that the X12 will muddle people, and that the company is often not very smart. I am just an ordinary bloke who tries to keep abreast of matters and share. This messenger does not appreciate being shot. That's what you seem to be doing.
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 9:02am Mon 19 May 08
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 7:21am today
[bold]Quote [/bold] I think you'll find that even people associated with W&D feel that the X12 will muddle people, and that the company is often not very smart. This messenger does not appreciate being shot. That's what you seem to be doing.
[bold]Reply [/bold] Whilst I do appreciate your input [bold]exessexman[/bold] , I am not shooting any messenger as the message the people are getting is that W&D [bold]as you have said yourself[/bold] . the company is often [bold]not very smart.[/bold] I think that's putting it mildly when you have an important task of managing one of the areas [bold]Key Infrastructures[/bold] Public Transportation.
It is quite obvious from my passed findings (stated here) that [bold]your management[/bold] would do well to consider [bold]retaining[/bold] . As one Bus [bold]the X12 cannot[/bold] possibly cover two routes at the same time can it?
[bold]I feel very sorry for the Bus Drivers[/bold] , as they will be a the blunt end of this mess, not [bold]the management.[/bold]
Posted by: exessexman, new forest on 7:21am today
Quote I think you'll find that even people associated with W&D feel that the X12 will muddle people, and that the company is often not very smart. This messenger does not appreciate being shot. That's what you seem to be doing.
Reply Whilst I do appreciate your input
exessexman , I am not shooting any messenger as the message the people are getting is that W&D
as you have said yourself . the company is often
not very smart. I think that's putting it mildly when you have an important task of managing one of the areas
Key Infrastructures Public Transportation.
It is quite obvious from my passed findings (stated here) that
your management would do well to consider
retaining . As one Bus
the X12 cannot possibly cover two routes at the same time can it?
I feel very sorry for the Bus Drivers , as they will be a the blunt end of this mess, not
the management.
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