MP intervenes in bus row
The MP for Norwich South has secured a meeting with First following concerns over the changes to bus routes in the city.
Some UEA students, who had bought annual bus passes, returned on the first day of this term to find their route had been withdrawn.
Simon Wright wants to hear people’s experiences and concerns ahead of the meeting.
“Many passengers have been in touch with me about their concerns. I want to encourage anyone who is affected to get in touch so I can present First with clear evidence of the impact of these changes on my constituents,” said Mr Wright.
The meeting comes as First announced changes to its services across Norwich including the 21/22 which will no longer stop at the University of East Anglia. In Lakenham & Tuckswood the number 17/17a has also changed its route.
Tash Ross, Community and Student Rights Officer at the Union commented: “This is really worrying. There seems to have been little thought of the students who use the service, especially given that many of them will have bought a yearlong pass expecting to be able to use the services for all of the academic year. We call on First Bus to review their decision, and consult with students who use the service, especially those who have already paid for their bus pass for the year.”
Dawn Dewar, UEA’s Transport Co-ordinator said: “The university encourages staff and students to use public transport in preference to cars wherever possible, but the services offered by First Buses are run on commercial grounds and decisions on which routes to operate rest with them.”
Nigel Barrett, Regional Managing Director, for First South East & Midlands has responded to criticism saying: “An extensive evaluation of the 21/22 service [..] was undertaken and showed that very few passengers were being carried between the University and the N&N Hospital. During these times of austerity, the UK bus industry continues to fight rising fuel and insurance costs, changes to concessionary fares reimbursement procedures, as well as reductions in fuel duty rebate and council funding. We have to ensure that all of our routes are being fully utilised.”
The bus company has agreed to hold a UEA focus group inside 3 months to review the situation and are looking to create a similar group with staff and members of the N&N adding: “Our recent research has also indicated that there was customer demand at peak times between the Bowthorpe area and the University, and we have therefore introduced new ‘circular’ 40 Service between these points. We expect that this will be adjusted in time to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the UEA, using the feedback from the focus groups and customer service centre.”
They have also agreed to refund any passengers who bought an annual ticket who are no longer able to use it.
You can email your experiences and comments to Mr Wright by emailing office@simonwright.org.uk, by phone on 01603 627 660.
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