Nine rural bus routes get a "use it or lose it" last chance

Nine subsidised services targeted for cuts have another year to make up passenger numbers – backed by £200,000 from Herefordshire Council.

A more permanent plan should see smart card ticketing introduced to the county’s bus services, with a £50,000 investment to be match funded by bus companies.

Cash to cover the plans comes from a one-off  increase in rural transport funding that the council will receive for 2015-16.

But the council is explicit that any service re-instatement is for one year only, putting an emphasis on individual communities to show passenger numbers can be sustained in future without subsidy.

However, around 10 per cent - £25,000 - of the total figure could be set aside to help communities develop services.

The services identified for re-instatement are: 

- 33 Hereford to Ross-on-Wye (Mon-Sat) Additional evening journeys after complaints of isolation and inability to visit Hereford County Hospital.

- 40 Ross town service (Mon-Sat) Additional midday  journeys – currently a two hour gap in services and numerous complaints received.

- 39A Hereford to Hay-on-Wye (Sundays) Service partly funded by Hay Tourism and Parish Councils. A small gap in funding exists to continue the service.

- 412 Garway to Kings Thorn (Mon/Wed/Fri)  A through journey to Hereford on a trial basis avoiding changing buses at Kings Thorn, following representations from councillors, parish councils and passengers.

- 426 Bodenham  to Leominster (Mon-Fri) The introduction of up to two return journeys. Although several complaints were received when the previous service was withdrawn the usage was very low. This replacement service is seen as having the potential for a community transport scheme.

- 449 Hereford to Madley (Fri & Sat) Late evening journeys on Friday and Saturday. Depending on final cost outcome could possibly be  operated –Thurs.  Several requests from councillors and residents to reinstate the service for late workers and hospital visiting.

- 461 Hereford to Credenhill-Weobley-Kington (Mon-Sat) An evening journey. The withdrawal of these journeys has raised criticism from parishes in Credenhill, Weobley, and Lyonshall and from bus user groups.

- 476 Hereford to Ledbury (Mon-Thurs) Reintroduction of evening journeys withdrawn on Mondays - Thursdays. Friday and Saturday journeys are operated commercially.

- 490 Leominster-Orleton-Ludlow (Mon-Sat) Retiming of afternoon journeys from Leominster to connect with bus service from Hereford and introduce two off peak return journeys to Ludlow following complaints from councillors and residents, particularly those from Richard’s Castle who are unable to access bus services.

As reported by the Hereford Times, cabinet agreed to allocate the additional funding when it met in January.

The services - removed during the 2014 cuts to public transport -  had to demonstrate significant local support and show the potential longer term growth.

Full council confirmed the allocation in February when members agreed the 2015-16 budget.

This additional allocation was identified in a one-off 2015-16 net increase in rural grant funding the council receives from central government.

The council has had to cut funding for passenger transport by £1 million in 2014/15 and 2015/16.

A further cut of £250,000 is required in 2016/17.

The Council currently contributes around £600,000 which accounts for 36 per cent bus services in the county.

An additional £1.3 million funds the concessionary fares scheme.

Though much of the money is allocated to the re-introduction of services, around £50,000 will be allocated for investment in smart ticketing.

The cost of machines can be offset by operators through an increase in direct grant from Government keen to encourage comprehensive use of smart ticketing on local networks.

On council figures, it is anticipated that funding will assist 50 per cent of the purchase cost of 49 machines, with the remainder of cost being match funded by bus companies.

The companies will be required to sign an agreement ensuring the ticket machines remain on buses operating in Herefordshire.

Amongst the identified benefits of smart ticketing are efficiencies for passengers able to buy a block of journeys more cheaply and greater service flexibility.