MEASURES to tackle the continuing spiral of decline in county bus services are being urged by a Vale of Evesham group.
Usage of bus services has failed to return to pre Covid levels but has been hit by ‘poor quality timetable publicity’ and an ‘almost total lack of promotion’ say the Vale Public Transport Group.
Low-cost measures such as the restoration and distribution of printed timetables and relocation of bus stops to safer and more prominent locations for customers to help bring services nearer to the people they should serve are among new proposals from the group.
VPTG is also urging minor modifications to existing bus services to provide better bus/rail connectivity at both Evesham and Pershore rail stations – now almost non-existent – to help boost usage of all local public transport services.
The proposals form part of a report “Bus Back Better in Evesham Vale” which has already received the support of both Evesham and Pershore Town Councils and Drakes Broughton Parish Council as one of the largest parish councils in the area and VPTG was due to meet county council representatives yesterday (Thursday) to progress the findings.
“These initial proposals could be implemented fairly easily and swiftly and VPTG has some funding to assist with aspects such as the publication and distribution of publicity and promotion of services,” said VPTG chairman Julian Palfrey.
“But we would also wish to see the restoration of certain bus services lost at the start of Covid which reduced large local villages such as Eckington or Fladbury previously served by a daily service to Pershore, Evesham or Worcester to just a couple of buses per week.
“Better bus infrastructure involving the provision of new bus shelters with up-to-date bus running information at important locations such as Evesham and Pershore rail stations and relocation of certain shelters would upgrade waiting facilities and information for customers making bus travel a much more pleasant experience and encourage additional usage which is so important if we are to get people back onto our buses.”
A Bus Travel Task Force for Worcestershire has been set up to review current bus provision and to ensure bus travel is able to meet residents’ needs across the county.
This group will be comprised of the County Council, bus operators, passenger groups, and the individual constituency Members of Parliament for Worcestershire.
Coun Mike Rouse, cabinet member for Highways and Transport said: “We know how important bus travel is to residents across Worcestershire, especially those who rely on their local services on a regular basis to make appointments, get to and from work or even see their family.
“Since I have come into my post, this is the number one issue brought to my attention by our residents. As such, I have increased the amount I now travel by bus to try and experience first-hand, the issues our residents raise.
