Welsh Govt cuts bus subsidies by 27% without warning

[merlodlliw]

I did not know which thread to put this on, but more jam packed trains in the offing, where of course you can actually catch a train in Wales

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...ge-cuts-after-subsidy-slashed-55578-30207937/

Has ATW & rail infrastructure in Wales are now controlled by WG, who knows what will happen, more worrying is WG did not consult about this & it was left out of the Wales Transport Review which was released a few weeks ago.



Bob

 

[anthony263]

I did not know which thread to put this on, but more jam packed trains in the offing, where of course you can actually catch a train in Wales

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...ge-cuts-after-subsidy-slashed-55578-30207937/

Has ATW & rail infrastructure in Wales are now controlled by WG, who knows what will happen, more worrying is WG did not consult about this & it was left out of the Wales Transport Review which was released a few weeks ago.



Bob

Some operators guessed this was coming about 12 months ago, in fact some have suggested asking pass holders to pay 50p when they travel using their pass as a means to help keep some rural routes operating.

This is being looked at by some operators and local authorities in south west England.

That idea is a good 1 I think I have spoke to some OAP's I know who have said they would happily pay 50p if it mkeant keeping their local bus service.

However I have to admit I can see some routes being lost particulary in mid walles and some parts of cornwall

 

[merlodlliw]

Agree many saw it coming,but having spoken to a few in Wrexham & those at the County Council, they are more concerned that Minister Carl Sargent has imposed this 27% cut overnight without consultation.
Wrexham Bus Station only has four million pax a year & some of the rural services will go, with no alternative means.

As for the 50p surcharge,a difficult one as all Wales is covered by the pass,so
as an example Wrexham/Minera 5 miles, Wrexham/Chester 12 miles,Wrexham/Holyhead 100 miles.Would the surcharge apply to the rail services pass on(Borderlands.Conwy Valley,HOWL)

I started a thread on the missing Conwy Valley Sunday Bus/Rail replacement timetable in ATW area 4,where rail tickets are accepted, already Conwy CC have said this will now probably end in Oct 2012 due to the 27% funding cut to this service.

A few on RF will wonder why I put this up, but WG controls the subsidy for all public transport in Wales ATW rail & Bus, etc (only exception VT/FGW etc)

Some will now wonder about the £millions of subsidy spent each year by WG on WAGAIR & the open access WAG Expresses,

 

[anthony263]

Agree many saw it coming,but having spoken to a few in Wrexham & those at the County Council, they are more concerned that Minister Carl Sargent has imposed this 27% cut overnight without consultation.
Wrexham Bus Station only has four million pax a year & some of the rural services will go, with no alternative means.

As for the 50p surcharge,a difficult one as all Wales is covered by the pass,so
as an example Wrexham/Minera 5 miles, Wrexham/Chester 12 miles,Wrexham/Holyhead 100 miles.Would the surcharge apply to the rail services pass on(Borderlands.Conwy Valley,HOWL)

I started a thread on the missing Conwy Valley Sunday Bus/Rail replacement timetable in ATW area 4,where rail tickets are accepted, already Conwy CC have said this will now probably end in Oct 2012 due to the 27% funding cut to this service.

A few on RF will wonder why I put this up, but WG controls the subsidy for all public transport in Wales ATW rail & Bus, etc (only exception VT/FGW etc)

Some will now wonder about the £millions of subsidy spent each year by WG on WAGAIR & the open access WAG Expresses,

WAGAIR should have been scrapped and I hope the oppositition will pick this up and put pressure on the WG.

They should scrap the current WAG2 and replace with a northbound trip from Cardiff in the morning returning early evening with the stock being used along the north wales coast between duties if possible the same with the southbound working

 

[merlodlliw]

WAGAIR should have been scrapped and I hope the oppositition will pick this up and put pressure on the WG.

They should scrap the current WAG2 and replace with a northbound trip from Cardiff in the morning returning early evening with the stock being used along the north wales coast between duties if possible the same with the southbound working

Fully agree about WAGAIR, but IWJ the then Minister signed off a five year contract that would have to be bought out, the last Airline went bust.

As for a South/North WAG Ex, there is no Political move to start one, Ministers think everything goes up to Cardiff. I fully agree the WAG Ex stock should be
better used,in the real world when the 67/DVT starts there should be no excuse to park it up at Canton for six hours.

Bob

 

[ChrisCooper]

Might lead to packed trains, might lead to quieter trains. If someone has to go and buy a car because their bus service they use to get to the station is cut back they might decide just to drive the whole way instead, especially given how expensive parking can be at stations. I think it needs to be remembered that trains and buses on the whole don't compete, they work together. I imagine a small proportion of rail users live within walking distance of their nearest station and are travelling to destinations in walking distance of a station.

 

[merlodlliw]

Might lead to packed trains, might lead to quieter trains. If someone has to go and buy a car because their bus service they use to get to the station is cut back they might decide just to drive the whole way instead, especially given how expensive parking can be at stations. I think it needs to be remembered that trains and buses on the whole don't compete, they work together. I imagine a small proportion of rail users live within walking distance of their nearest station and are travelling to destinations in walking distance of a station.

You may well be correct,but to many buying a car & running it may be out of their reach, the cuts will no doubt effect pensioners & job seekers,
The biggest cuts will be Sunday & late evening Services in my County,where most are subsidised,