|
I would like to draw the Council’s attention to the massive attendance of upset and angry residents to the public meeting I organised in Southmead on
23rd August 2007 on the subject of First Bus’ withdrawal of services, changes of routes and fare hike.
It should not come as a surprise to you that the main reasons why
residents were angry were that: -
there was a total lack of clarity in what the changes were, both as to routes and timetables
there had not been consultation by First Bus before the decision to make the changes was made nor was information about the changes supplied after the decision
was made
a reduced service has been imposed while at the same time fares are increased. In the face of public pressure First made some concessions, particularly as to having a specific Southmead buses consultation
group and to leaflet every resident in Southmead withproper details of the changes.
However, I have to tell you that this does not yet appear to have happened. All of this leads me to the question of the Strategic Transport Authority. An STA will give our elected
representatives here more influence over the provision of public transport.
I was delighted to note that our Government are offering £42,000,000 to assist in the formulation of a proper public transport infrastructure for the area in
and around Bristol.
I am also pleased that all sides in Bristol City Council support having a STA for the Greater Bristol area. However, I have to point out that at present the surrounding authorities’ approach is lukewarm at best. The
Conservatives, in particular, have a particular burden on this because while in Bristol they claim to be in favour of a STA, the Conservatives
running South Gloucestershire Council, for example, are clearly dragging their heels.
Words putting off a decision like “we’d like to see what it looks like first” are being used and that lack of political leadership is simply not good enough
for the people of Bristol. I therefore
ask all councillors condemn this foot dragging by authorities outside the City and, especially the Conservatives, who claim to be enthusiastic for this Labour proposal, to use the influence they
have to persuade their inconsistent colleagues elsewhere to ensure that a Strategic Transport Authority is set up as soon as possible. It is they who are holding this up just as
it is they who created this deregulated mess in the first place.
| 
Strategic Transport Authority and First Bus
