To think I should be able to get a bus the 5 miles to nearest town before 3.15 pm

[cyclamenqueen]

Just found out that the bus timetable has recently changed , the first bus to our local town is now 3.15pm , there is one at 7.30am but you have to go 10 miles in the wrong direction change and come back so that a 5 mile journey takes 2hours and twenty mins.

No wonder there are too many cars on the road , it’s utterly ridiculous . Dn now has no way to get to work or even to gym other than to ask for lift or cycle. He’s happy to cycle but the roads are narrow and rural and in the dark or wet weather it’s not pleasant. And before people say ‘take a cab’ I’ve just rung the two local cab companies , next cab available us tomorrow at 11.00am or Monday at 2pm ( I kid you not)

It is but if you are under 18 that’s difficult plus I thought we were all meant to be driving less . imagine it's less environmentally friendly for a bus to drive a long convoluted route for the sake of 1 or 2 passengers than it is for them to drive direct to their route. Unless its one of those eco poo buses.

We've just been told we're loosing our 8.10am bus into town, so anyone wanting to get into town for am, need to be on the 7.30 bus, which arrives at about 8.10.

And yes - local councils are all about making it difficult for the car driver and trying to reduce car use. I sometimes wonder if anyone talks to anyone else in the council as they all seem to be working at odds with each other

@Bigfishlittlepuddle

Reminds me of my old MP who said we don't need to support buses as they are a luxury. Had clearly never caught one

Name and shame, BigFish, name and shame...

Our buses are terrible. When we moved here 18 years ago there were 6-8 daily buses between 7.30am - 6.30pm with a slightly reduced service on Saturday. Now we have no service on a Saturday and only 3 buses between 10.00am - 2.30pm, so if you have a later appointment you can't get there, or you can get there but you can't get home. So anyone working has to drive/car share.

Lots of kids used to use the original service for school but now they all have to be driven by parents - yes some share but different working patterns means more trips.

I live in an urban area and, unless you’re going to the city centre, the buses are often useless. And really, really expensive. Much more than the local trains are.

Clearly a common problem.

@Tynesider007 not exactly sure how much use it would be getting to school at 3.30pm , surely that’s when most schools are leaving not starting . Luckily there us a dedicated school coach service but sixth formers have to pay and now there is no other option for them .

It’s not just rural areas; I live in a fairly large town in between Manchester and Liverpool. I work just outside of Manchester, I start at 6:30 am, there are no buses or trains to get me there on time, or even near that time. The train to the local station finishes about 7pm and no Sunday service at all.

Make it an election issue if you have local elections in May. Councils do have some funds to support local bus services, much as they are reduced greatly.

And lobby your MP.

susu49 I would name and shame but it was years ago. Some bloke in Cambridgeshire. I just remember being furious.

@ChrissyPlummer

It’s not just rural areas; I live in a fairly large town in between Manchester and Liverpool. I work just outside of Manchester, I start at 6:30 am, there are no buses or trains to get me there on time, or even near that time. The train to the local station finishes about 7pm and no Sunday service at all.

Same. Live in a major city. DH commutes to London / Birmingham / Manchester as needed but there are no buses to any train station within 15 miles before 7am & taxis are fully booked beforehand by commuters. So many train commuters have no choice but to take their cars. The last bus to our part of the city is at 7pm which is useless for 99% of people. Then they complain that we aren’t using the buses and cut services even more.