Our mailbag (or modern day email inbox) was bulging with concerns, complaints and general clamour for more information following our piece on the withdrawal of bus services last month. As well as the 556 and 557, we must also of course mention the 458. It means that links with Ashford and St Peters and Heathrow will be hugely affected. These services are immensely important transport links to residents of Sunbury, Shepperton and Laleham. We gave details of the link where you could protest but several of you said you could not get it to work. Do try again!
In early September, Surrey County Council and Abellio issued a joint statement about proposed changes. Abellio has run the service under contract and with substantial financial support from the Council. Abellio wanted to get out of the contract which apparently they are able to do. This decision was solely Abellio’s. Surrey County Council meanwhile have committed to finding an alternative service. Abellio were going to stop at the beginning of September but after a further payment by Surrey CC of £120,000, the closure of the service has been put off until 31st December 2016 to give Surrey time to sort the situation out.
It is important to stress that it has never been suggested that these services would disappear completely. The council recognises the potential impact on many bus users along with hardship that could result if key strategic bus services were to be just abandoned.
For this reason, the Council are leading the process to obtain new operators for the services. Plans for this are being formulated and engagement is being sought with all bus companies currently approved by the Council for running supported bus services in Surrey, in advance of discussions. The outcome of course is unclear, but it is expected that there will be public engagement from mid-autumn in terms of what the new arrangements will be.
Any updates will be published in due course on www.surreycc.gov.uk/buses and final service details are also expected to appear in printed form and be distributed from around early December so watch out for that.
On the subject of transport, Spelthorne Council recently took delivery of four new assisted transport buses. The Council spent £218K purchasing the new Spelride vehicles which are specially designed for passengers with mobility problems who struggle to use public transport. Cllr Maureen Attewell, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “Spelride vehicles are adapted with lifts for wheelchair users and people with walking difficulties and provide a life-line for elderly or disabled people. The service helps people to stay independent and get to places such as the shops, the doctor, the community centres or to see their friends. The new vehicles are absolutely fantastic and I think people who use the service will really notice the
difference.”
The Spelride service is available Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am -11am and 2pm-4pm for transport to the community centres in Spelthorne, and 11am-2pm for journeys to other places such as the town centres. There is an annual membership fee of £20 and fares cost £4 per journey or £7 return.
To lodge your protest against withdrawal of routes go to:http://petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/stop-bus-cuts/