Bus routes at risk from concessionary fares controversy

The Confederation of Passenger Transport, the ‘trade body’ for bus operators, has warned that ‘scores of commercial bus routes across South West England could be withdrawn’ because of changes to the way local authorities reimburse bus operators for the nationwide concessionary fares scheme which commences on 1 April.

The controversy centres on the recent reimbursement guidance published by the Department for Transport and, in particular, the endorsement of using ‘long-run elasticities’ in reimbursement calculations. This method of calculation could significantly reduce the reimbursement that operators receive and force them into cost-cutting measures, including the withdrawal of ‘marginal’ commercial bus routes.

The managing directors of Stagecoach West and of Wilts and Dorset have both recently warned of the withdrawal of commercial bus services, due to ‘inadequate’ reimbursement for concessionary pass holders.

National Express targets Swindon commuters with new London coach service

National Express has announced plans to introduce a new commuter coach service between Swindon and Central London from next month – the new service will benefit from using the M4 bus lane.

It is planned to operate a daily service from Swindon, which will stop at Hammersmith (for Underground connections), Trafalgar Square and Victoria Street before terminating at Victoria Coach Station. National Express states that fares on the new service will be a minimum of sixty per cent below comparable rail prices. Passengers on the new service will benefit from complimentary wireless internet, a guaranteed seat and free bottled water.

Easter engineering work on rail network over Easter holiday

Journeys on the region’s rail network will be severely impacted by major engineering work at several locations over the Easter holiday period. No trains are scheduled to operate over the following routes:-

• Bristol Parkway – Swindon
• Bruton - Frome
• Chippenham – Swindon
• Chippenham - Trowbridge
• Didcot Parkway – Swindon
• Frome – Westbury
• Gloucester – Severn Tunnel Junction
• Newquay – Par

Customers travelling on South West Trains services between London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Exeter St Davids, Poole, Salisbury and Weymouth will face extended journey times as trains will be diverted between Clapham Junction and Woking due to engineering work.

Community Rail Study

The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) has announced a major study into the ‘real value’ of community rail lines. The study will be undertaken by Transport Regeneration , based in Bury St Edmunds, and will look at the benefits that community rail brings to the communities the lines serve.

And finally,

Work on the replacement footbridge linking Plymouth railway station with the stops for westbound buses to Callington, Liskeard, Saltash and Torpoint has finally started – the former structure was demolished by a lorry carrying a ‘high load’ in October 2006. The replacement bridge, costing £220k, is expected to be opened to pedestrians in late April.