There may be various forums available to discuss transport issues but it is very clear that no one is listening to the needs and suggestions of users, hence my suggestion for a local Passenger Transport Forum/ Users Group (or somesuch name).

Consultation with users, whether by local authorities, elected representatives or service providers is seriously lacking, and communication streams seem non-existent.

Initiatives like Save the 76, and single-issue petitions only go so far, but those of us who rely on and support public transport know the problems go much wider with a multitude of deeper issues.

But its not just the 76.
We must not forget the 86 Winchester service, the Community Bus, the Cango services, School Buses, Coaches, Taxis, and of course South West Trains. Then there are the other options such as Car-Sharing, Bike Pools, and Car Clubs. All have important places in providing transport solutions for a local community.

But no one consults with, or listens to the Users, least of all any of those who makes the decisions, and who also spend our taxes. Neither do the providers talk to each other, resulting in a hotch-potch of services that the User only discovers once introduced - or when a service is removed.

Just a few examples the type of questions that might arise are:

• 1. Why won't Stagecoach Buses sell child return fares before 9am?
• 2. Why cannot you buy a Family GroupSave ticket from the railway station when it is closed, without a risk of Penalty Fares?
• 3. Why cannot more that three days notice be given of fare increases?
• 4. Why won't National ExPress stop at Whitchurch (they used to)?
• 5. Where is a comprehensive timetable available in the Town Centre?
(the latter is something I am considering setting up as a web-based resource for others to link to)
...and so on and so on!

My proposal was for a Public Meeting/Workshop (Passenger Transport Forum) to be a focus for those who rely on and regularly use PT, and also as a means of determining what issues concern local people the most and how they might be addressed. I suggest that this ties in closely to, and feeds into, the B&DBC review that Keith refers to.
I do not believe the WA Action Plan is the way to go - at least not initially. Their priorities should be HGVs, congestion, parking, and similar highway based activities. This is a very different kettle of fish.

A Passenger Transport Forum would be a separate, public-driven, highly-focussed, campaign group made up by users who want to be heard and their needs addressed. It could also link in to others who are also on the same routes who are affected, for example Overton.

I'm one of those Users. A car-free family by choice, and on most days my family and I use several trains, buses, cycles, and walking to move around the area. This is for both business and leisure.
But it all needs to join up and at the moment it doesn't.
And worse of all - no one communicates!

If anyone would like help to progress this please be in touch.
01256 892650 / 07963 237619
[email protected]

John B

e-mail from Maria.

I have just received this email and invited Maria to joint the board

There is no one who understands the plight of passengers, better than bus users themselves.  We experience the anxiety and frustration of wasted journeys, journeys fraught with unpleasant incidents and rudeness. 

Those who make the decisions for us do not consider us. I am sure that they have never used a public bus service.  If they were to do so, by using the very buses we have to use, for a year, it would give them sufficient time to experience all the grief we have to endure.  I can guarantee that only then, would the situation change drastically  overnight.

I have retained for future reference, letters written during the last few years, outlining  incidents and grievances I have experienced. Letters addressed to Stagecoach, my MP, local Councillor, The Andover Advertiser and various other relevant personnel, who have done nothing to make the situation better for us. In fact some have not even had the decency to acknowledge these letters.   Could a meeting be arranged, whereby we, the passengers who have no other means of transport, can make our point by giving our personal experiences to you first hand.  After all, we are the discriminated casualties of a dying service.

Oh how true.


Maria, give me a call on 01256 892650 or e-mail me, [email protected].

I am hoping that just such a meeting can be arranged in the Autumn.
There are already several people interested.
Someone needs to listen to the Users.

John B