U-turn sees return of axed bus route in Basford and Wolstanton
CAMPAIGNERS have won their fight for a bus service to be returned to their neighbourhood.
The number 17 service will be back in Basford and Wolstanton after bus company First performed a U-turn over its decision to axe the route.
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PETITION: Councillor Simon Tagg.
Hundreds of residents signed a petition against the decision, which left passengers without public transport to the city centre.
Now the service is expected to be running again in about three weeks time.
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First Bus general manager, Peter Walch, said: "We are not arrogant and we will change our minds over a decision.
"There has been a lot of public requests to return the route. I have always said if people are unhappy then I will listen to what they have to say.
"We feel it is the sensible thing to reinstate it as the public want it back."
First originally said the change was for 'commercial reasons', in order to generate more business from the busy Wolstanton Retail Park.
Removing the service would have left users with a walk into May Bank or the outskirts of Basford to catch an alternative bus.
In response, Wardle Transport ran a similar route to pick up some of the slack.
Mr Walch said although the service will be returned, the firm would continue to focus on passengers travelling to the retail park.
He added: "We will have to look at our network in the area and we will review that. We are mindful that people do want to get there.
"The local authorities have supported our move to bring back the service, so it should now take about three weeks to get it running again."
The campaign to rescue the service saw about 250 people sign a petition objecting to First's plans.
Councillor Simon Tagg, who represents May Bank, Basford and The Brampton on Newcastle Borough Council, launched the petition after receiving complaints.
He said: "We put the petition to them about three weeks ago.
"It is good that First have listened and a lot of people will be pleased that it's coming back. It's really good news.
"There were no other bus routes that went down Basford Park Road. People in the area were cut off."
Selwyn Brown, chairman of North Staffordshire transport group Aces, said: "I have received complaints from a number of people living in the area who were unhappy that the service had been taken away.
"They couldn't understand it as it was always well used. There were always people on the bus.
"There have been some cases where people living in that area and working in Hanley have had to walk to other bus stops and even get taxis. It was a service they relied on.
"If it does come back in its original form, then it is good news for the people of Basford and I am very pleased for them."
Maureen Foy, of May Bank, who backed the campaign to save the service, said: "When I worked in Hanley I would regularly use it to get to the city centre.
"I felt for the people who do rely on it to get to and from work. The bus was always busy and well used. It's good news that it is coming back."
Comments
by camband
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:26PM
“Well done Simon -good work, and congratulations to all who contributed to getting the No.23 reinstated.
Ridiculous decision in the first place given the length of Basford Park Rd -and the great number adjoining streets and avenues either side of it, where many older people do not own a car or, where the old ladies are concerned have never learned to drive.
Makes you wonder if 'certain people' put a certain amount of money into certain officials hands -so as to get the No.23 Service taken off -and allow the Taxis and Private Hire Trade to move in and make a killing.... after all, many if not most -of the older folk I refer to would not have been able to walk the distance required to get them onto the two other main routes ..one for Hanley, the other for Newcastle.”
by Surfers27
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 7:57PM
“Great news!! About time this bus service is reinstated!! I totally agree with RedStar987. I think First Group should pay compensation to all the residents of May Bank and Basford for the upset and confusion, or at least an apology! Bet Mr Walch has never ever used Bus 17 in his life!”
by redstar987
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 7:29PM
“This is welcome news that a much needed service has been re-instated for the residents of May Bank and Basford Park Road. This decision shows some maturity on behalf of the company involved, however it must be noted that this u-turn has come about by the strength of the community in the May Bank area. It shows that when you stick together, when you campaign together and when you have justice on your side you can turn things around. This should provide hope and inspiration to the many other public transport users who have had their services cut and are left stranded in their communities.
Thanks must go to the many regular users who sent in complaints to First, who lobbied their councillors, who lobbied the local MP, signed petitions and took the matter up with the Transport Authorities.
We need a city with a quality public transport system, and a company who cares about the communities which it serves. We need a transport system that allows workers to get from A - B to stimulate our economy and to get our city back to work. We need a public transport system that cares for the elderley and disabled user, and an operator who consults communities before cutting services purely for profit and without thought to the consequences.
I commend Mr Walch and his company for this action albeit after some inconvenience for the many regular users of this route. We have to hope that First now delivers the quality of service that is required of a modern public transport operator and that customer service becomes paramount to restore the confidence of bus users.
A great first step would be if First and the Transport Authority could post up the new services on bus stops in the area to inform residents when this revised service will run from and detail the service availability. Maybe they could hand out updates on the present service until it is changed back. That way we eliminate the confusion that resulted from the original changes.
Lessons need to be learned from all of this. I look forward to using the re-instated service.”
by Havark
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:34AM
“thank god for that, really messed up my day when i found out they stopped this bus after standing there for an hour.”