Julian Fights for Reintroduction of Rural Bus Services
January 14, 2014
Julian has joined forces with local councillor Paul Doughty, by launching a campaign for the reintroduction of the only evening buses serving Hopgrove and the village of Stockton-on-the-Forest.
The last two evening Yorkshire Coastliner services were withdrawn from the village following the introduction of the winter timetable late last year. These services now terminate at Ashley Park, Heworth, rather than Malton where the route had previously ended. But Julian and Paul, the Ward Councillor for Strensall, Earswick and Stockton-on-the-Forest, have been appealing to Transdev, the Company who operate the Coastliner, to extend the route two miles further, to ensure Stockton and Hopgrove residents can still use the services.
Transdev bosses have cited reductions in the reimbursement they receive from North Yorkshire County Council and the City of York Council for carrying passengers with concessionary travel permits and low levels of usage as their reasons for withdrawing the services.
Julian and Paul have been in regular communication with Transdev and Transport Chiefs at the City of York Council to try to achieve a workable solution to the problem. However, recognising the talks have been largely unsuccessful, they’ve decided to hit the streets of Stockton to petition the local residents on the matter.
Commenting, Julian said:
“Regular and reliable bus services are a real lifeline to our rural communities and Councillor Doughty and I are determined to continue the fight for the restoration of these services, which so many of the residents in Stockton-on-the-Forest and Hopgrove rely on. I hope that with a united response from the community, sufficient pressure will be put on Transdev and the local Council to come to an agreement to reintroduce these buses.
Councillor Paul Doughty added:
“I fail to see how it would be too much effort to extend the services terminating at Ashley Park to continue along the straight road to Hopgrove and Stockton-on-the-Forest. The reinstatement of the last two services in particular should be a priority to allow shiftworkers and those wishing to enjoy an evening in the City an option without reliance on the car, for whom some don’t have that luxury. In finding a positive solution, this would be a real chance for Transdev and the City Council to show they care about their customers and residents”
Julian has also been petitioning residents in the village of Rufforth on the North Yorkshire County Council proposals to remove some of the 412 and 413 buses serving the village. The petition has achieved over 150 signatures and the Council are due to make their decision on 21st January.
Pictured: Councillor Paul Doughty with Julian.
