Bus company plans to axe services (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bus company plans to axe services

STAGECOACH is planning to axe vital bus services in the Stroud Valleys over the next few months.

And the move has been branded 'ruthless' and 'immoral' by the town's leading bus campaigner Elizabeth Sergeant.

As well as leaving rural communities stranded, the loss of the popular routes has also prompted fears that regeneration plans for Stroud would come to a grinding halt.

Stagecoach's commercial director, Phil Stockley confirmed yesterday: "We are reviewing a small number of routes at the end of April which we have indicated to Gloucestershire County Council we can no longer operate commercially.

"And we are now consulting with the county on how they can best be provided."

"GCC will invite bus operators in the area including Stagecoach to bid for the routes."

A GCC spokesmen explained: "When a bus operator decides they can no longer operate a route they must deregister the service.

The county council then conducts a passenger survey in order to decide what level of service needs to be provided before inviting bus service providers to tender for the route.

"The route is then subsidised by the GCC."

The major overhaul of the bus services includes the withdrawal of at least three services including the 8/8A Stroud town circular route.

The decision has upset the pensioners at Grange View Flats in Uplands who last year celebrated a successful campaign for the return of the bus to pick them up in Grove Park Road.

Margaret Wells, resident scheme manager of the sheltered accommodation who spearheaded the campaign said she was deeply saddened by the decision but added that she would be putting pen to paper.

"When I heard the news I thought here we go again," said Mrs Wells.

"We are not happy at all, the bus is a lifeline for the residents, they can pop down to the doctors and the town without having to get someone to run them around.

"It has helped them maintain their independence.

"I met Mr Maplin from GCC on a bus with just a few people the other day and I hope he wasn't basing the survey on that, the bus is often full. Stroud bus campaigner Elizabeth Sergeant said: "Stagecoach grew and grew by ruthlessly swallowing all the small operators.

"It would be immoral for them to withdraw these services without consulting with passengers.

"Serious dialogue is needed."