Disabled 'victimised' by bus route changes
PLYMPTON residents have expressed their worry and anger at the imminent changes to three bus routes in the area.
Julie and Stephen Williamson from Chaddlewood are concerned as Stephen is disabled and say that the extra walk to another bus stop is not manageable.
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CONCERNS: Stephen Williamson, who is disabled and unhappy about the proposed bus changes
Stephen said: "I feel like we're being victimised, if it's a 10 minute walk to a bus stop and you can't make that walk then what's the answer?
"It's a no win situation all the time and I believe we're being victimised because we have disabilities."
Altogether Plymouth Citybus have announced plans to make changes to three routes in Plympton.
Plymouth Citybus management say that timetables and route changes will take effect from Sunday March 4 in a bid by to fine tune the Service 21, 22, together with changes for the Service 20.
Citybus say the changes are designed to improve reliability and to preserve the number of buses operating on the routes, often up to every ten minutes, whilst facing higher operating costs.
However on the Citybus website it states: "The reality is that one third of all customers using the service are in possession of the free travel pass which in turn severely restricts the overall income potential of the service."
This too has outraged residents.
Julie said: "I would like to say that I feel that using the number of free bus passes as part of the reason for reducing the service, to be insulting.
"In our case, my husband had to give up driving because of his disabilities and so we both heavily rely on buses to get about."
Peter Oliver, Commercial Manager at Plymouth Citybus, reaffirmed that the changes are essential to preserve the services.
Peter said: "We have to make these changes with the long term survival of the services in mind. Rising operating costs mean that bus operators across the UK simply cannot afford to run buses that have a few people on-board.
"Timetables have to be adjusted to ensure that buses have more chance to stay on time where traffic congestion increases or improvements or adverse changes to a route are made.
"Even roads narrowed by on-street parking affect how we are able to operate our services. Low reimbursement levels from the government funded free concession scheme severely restricts the income potential of a service, which then has a knock on effect to service levels."
Full details of the changes can be found by visiting www.plymouthbus.co.uk or by calling 0845 077 2223.
40 Comments
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by beowulfonline
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 9:42AM
“@ChezGuevara
Plymouth voted in a council that promised NOT to sell off Citybus but then did just that. Everyone should remember that at the upcoming local elections in May. You can't believe a word this council utters.”
by Saltash2010
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 9:40AM
“I'll take your comment with the spirit its intended.”
by northernchimp
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 8:55AM
“Whilst there are many exceptions and neither am I a doctor, some disabled and most ageing people would benefit from a bit more of a walk.
BBC did a program called Young Ones which essentially proved the benefits of pushing yourselves a bit more. Do yourself a favour, watch this fantastic program online, give back your blue badges and roll back the years. If you really can't walk that bit further, you should be looking for more help via disability dial a bus (if it exists).”
by PepelopeP
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 8:46AM
“I thought this is what disability payments were meant for. Either you can pay for taxi's with your benefits or choose a moblity car. These benefits are supposed to help towards extra costs for being disabled, this is just one example where they could be used.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 6:46AM
“Saltash2010
Wrong again pal.
I'm afraid I'm nowhere near a bus pass yet.
You seem to have a problem with disabled people. Not all disabilities are visible. For example, someone with MS could look completely normal at first sight.
Maybe you should try and form your opinions without the use of tabloid newspapers (there's a hint of the Daily mail reader about you).
That may help your spelling as well.
xxxx”
by Saltash2010
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 12:43AM
“Oh Vinnie_Gar.
How I love the anonymity of the web, mindless individuals that have nothing better to do then (use their concession pass) and throw around troll like insults to gratify your consciene.
Looks like I've touched a nerve eh, well, why should I face inceased bus fares to subside consession passes?
As ignorant as this sounds, you work through to 65 to pay for your retirement including bus fare. Earn a pention which again is tax payers money. The entire system is flawed, everyone should pay an amount to the bus company, i.e a token fare of 50p.
Bad news for you mate. Pay your bus fare and we might still have a public transport network.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Monday, January 30 2012, 10:55PM
“Saltash2010
Bad news I'm afraid.
Your inferiority complex isn't a complex.
Were you ever bullied? If not, why not?”
by ChezGuevara
Monday, January 30 2012, 10:09PM
“Bus users have no one to blame but themselves. They voted in the Council that sold Citybus to a private company. Hence the cuts in bus services that were promised would never happen.
If it is uneconomical to run, a commercial business will not run the service. It happens everywhere. We saw it in Swansea. No bus service at all on a Sunday to my area up there! Think yourselves lucky!”
by FOXFAN99
Monday, January 30 2012, 8:03PM
“PLYMPTON residents have expressed their worry and anger at the imminent changes to three bus routes in the area.
The first paragraph of this story is very misleading. The way it reads is as if the entire population of Plympton is up in arms about the proposed changes when in reality it is just a couple of people who are complaining because the bus wont go past their front door.
Come on Herald this is over the top reporting. Have these people actually complained to Citybus? This should really be their first port of call. Or is it the usual thing of lets go to the papers and try to shame the bus company into changing their mind.”
by Saltash2010
Monday, January 30 2012, 7:04PM
“Thanks GreenGOM.
Ah no, I've got an in-growing toe nail, quick, where's the benefits forms dear?
The term disabled is now so broad that it's practically useless - sorry, but the gent in this photo is not what I'd consider disabled. Someone who is physically disabled is (In my opinion) virtually paralyzed from the waist down and has no ability to walk.
People moan about bus companies, but in heine sight, they are providing a service, they are not legally contracted to serve your area and any service is surely a bonus?”