Off the buses (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Off the buses

10:18am Wednesday 8th October 2008

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I WAS very disappointed to hear that the Arriva No6 service Warrington Widnes Liverpool is to be discontinued in October.

I understand that Arriva’s official line is that it is an uneconomic route.

This service connects communities which are relatively isolated in terms of residents being easily able to access Liverpool and Warrington by public transport and its withdrawal will obviously create problems for such people.

It would seem to me to be very short sighted for Arriva to be considering cutting bus services at a time when we are all being encouraged to use public transport owing to climate change and rising fuel prices.

If the bus services were still regulated I am sure such a decision would not have been made.

Privatisation, presumably is here to stay in which case public transport companies should factor in community responsibilities in their costing programmes.

This is particularly relevant when you consider that Arriva’s profits as a group were up 40 per cent in the first half of 2008.

DEREK MELLOR Halton Green Party WIDNES

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