FIRST BUSES URGED TO THINK AGAIN ON BUS SERVICE CUTS - Villages must not be cut out, says Julia

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Jun 2009

First Group bosses were urged to look again at their new bus timetable, at a meeting set up by Julia Goldsworthy MP where she raised the concerns of many local bus users.

New changes to the bus timetable have left villages including Perranwell and Ponsanooth with huge reductions in direct bus services to both Falmouth and Truro. Dozens of local residents wrote to Julia raising concerns that the new timetabling has left them unable to get to work or school on time, or unable to make important medical appointments.

Following the meeting, First Group promised to send "information buses" to both affected villages so that local residents could raise their concern in person. First have also been pressed to look again at the both the timing and routing of buses during peak hours, so that they fit better around people's work and school commitments.

Commenting, Julia said:

"I have been flooded with complaints from Perranwell and Ponsanooth about the extent of cuts to direct services from these villages. As a result of the changes, a large number of people are unable to get to work or school on time.

"First must think again about their new timetable, especially during peak times in the morning and evening. From the meeting it's clear that minor changes could make a big difference to the people that rely on these services."

"It's true that services along the main routes of the county have increased over recent times - but it's essential that people living in our more rural communities are not cut out. If our villages are to remain sustainable, decent public transport links are essential. It's not just down to First Buses to acknowledge this - the Government must free up councils to have better bargaining power with bus companies too."