Written evidence from M Rushmere (BUS
55)
I am writing as the user of our local bus service
and as a holder of a concessionary bus pass for the over 60s.
I live in North Yorkshire, and use the Dales and
District service number 70 that runs between Ripon and Northallerton.
It runs six days a week during the day time only. This enables
my wifealso a pass holderand I to get to the shops,
attend doctors appointments, visit our banks and building societies,
and the post office amongst other facilities. It also connects
to other services such as the east coast main line that allows
us to visit family and friends around the UK. Both Ripon and Northallerton
have other bus routes that can transport us to all areas of Yorkshire
and beyond.
By using the bus we leave our car at home and save
in the region of 5,000 miles a year in general commuting.
As a free service we, and many others, find the facility
extremely useful.
IF this service was to be reduced then I would prefer
to see the frequency each day retained but a whole day removed
during the week. Say Tuesday.
In order not to have it reduced at all, I would consider accepting
a nominal charge per journey to go towards the cost of providing
this service for all over 60 pass holders. This could be 20p for
any journey. This would go some way to mitigating the cost and
should not involve the bus operator in any extra work as they
take fares already; so cash handling is not a problem.
I hope that in the end the facility is not reduced
or removed as the numbers that use it in this rural area is considerable.
January 2010
|