Post by wirewiper on Dec 31, 2019 18:55:58 GMT
I have recently come across two instances in South West England, where non-commercial services are being funded not by a local authority, but by individual members of the public.
The first is the Sunday service on First's X53 between Weymouth and Bridport. First withdraws the Sunday service on the X53 during the winter period, but this year an Alan Williams of Bridport has made a financial contribution to underwrite three return journeys until Christmas. A local resident has started a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of raising £5,000 so these journeys can continue operating until Easter, when First is expected to resume operating the Sunday X53 commercially.
The second is in Torquay, where a unique subscription scheme has enabled Our Bus route 61 to Livermead and St Luke's Road to be restored after an absence of a year. The two-route Our Bus operation was originally suspended in December 2018 as the high level of concessionary pass use (90% of passengers were travelling free) and inadequate levels of reimbursement led to unsustainable losses of £1,000 per week. Now fifty households pay either £3.50 or £6.50 a week by direct debit to underwrite the service's operation, regardless of whether they actually use it or not. Six return journeys operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the service uses volunteer drivers. Despite all this, it is a public bus service running to a fixed route and timetable, fares are charged and ENCTS passes can be used. Users of the service, which serves two very hilly residential areas with an ageing population, have described the service as 'a lifeline'. Torbay Council is cash-strapped and no longer subsidises any bus services.
The first is the Sunday service on First's X53 between Weymouth and Bridport. First withdraws the Sunday service on the X53 during the winter period, but this year an Alan Williams of Bridport has made a financial contribution to underwrite three return journeys until Christmas. A local resident has started a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of raising £5,000 so these journeys can continue operating until Easter, when First is expected to resume operating the Sunday X53 commercially.
The second is in Torquay, where a unique subscription scheme has enabled Our Bus route 61 to Livermead and St Luke's Road to be restored after an absence of a year. The two-route Our Bus operation was originally suspended in December 2018 as the high level of concessionary pass use (90% of passengers were travelling free) and inadequate levels of reimbursement led to unsustainable losses of £1,000 per week. Now fifty households pay either £3.50 or £6.50 a week by direct debit to underwrite the service's operation, regardless of whether they actually use it or not. Six return journeys operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the service uses volunteer drivers. Despite all this, it is a public bus service running to a fixed route and timetable, fares are charged and ENCTS passes can be used. Users of the service, which serves two very hilly residential areas with an ageing population, have described the service as 'a lifeline'. Torbay Council is cash-strapped and no longer subsidises any bus services.
