Community Bus for Northwood
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, 27th July 2011, 13:19
I believe we should, as a village, be looking at replacing the Wight Bus, due to be axed in August 2011, with a Community Bus service. Many people living in Northwood rely on public transport and are going to be seriously disadvantaged without the means to travel.
Discussions are taking place about Community Buses across the Island, notably in the West Wight.
I would welcome comments on this proposal.
11 Responses to “Community Bus for Northwood”
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Village
- - Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
- - Cowes Amateur Winemakers
- - Cowes Heritage
- - Cowes Radar Ex-Employees Association
- - Cowes-Deauville Twinning Association
- - Friends of Northwood Cemetery
- - Friends of Northwood House and Park
- - Medham W.I.
- - Newport Rowing Club
- - Northwood Floral Art Group
- - Northwood Village Produce Association
- - Northwood W.I.
Parish Council
Sorry if I have inadvertently caused some disquiet re Gurnard. I think they will be involved but the initial meeting was between Cowes and Northwood. We most certainly do want Gurnard involved because that will make for a stronger, more rounded bid.
I will be attending a special Community Transport meeting at The Riverside Centre on Wednesday evening at 7pm with John Pullen when the RCC will be discussing with us and other Parish or Town Councils and anyone else who is interested how we can progress this important but difficult local service.
This meeting is I think the third in a series that started last year.
I have raised with Unison the possibility of the Wightbus staff putting their own bid together and this is I understand under consideration.
Thanks again for everyone’s interest. Will report back soonest. Roger Maz.
This issue is too important to have time wasted on it through tit for tat posts, so back to the subject of the original thread.
Having spoken to one or two like minded folk I am of the view that we need an initial consultative survey carried out on the route that is most under threat. Allowing identifiable teams to ride the route and ask travellers a series of relevant questions to enable a build up of what exactly people would expect from a Community Bus Service. Bearing in mind the current Bus Pass would not be usable, what level of payment would users expect to pay for lets say the same level of service as now?
There is know doubt that there are many hoops to jump through in getting this form of scheme off the ground. The formation of the joint working party, 1 each from Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood
Which I am led to believe has been set up.
I respectfully recommend those with any knowledge that would assist in the early stages contact the Parish Clerk in the area in which you reside.
What do others think?
Regards
GRC.
Well HoneyB I think you totally missed the pollen and nectar, I am 100% for collaboration and my comment or as you prefer “petty remark” was that I noticed Roger said, Cowes Town and Northwood Parish were meeting regarding the bus issue but I also thought Gurnard Parish were going to be involved. I personally think the more people involved the better and this sort of COLLABORATION of local council’s shares expertise, shows strength, shares cost and involves the people of the 3 areas that are going to suffer. The question I asked and would still like a reply with out to many “wasps” trying to sting me is still the same: – is it just Northwood and Cowes or as I’ve heard, also Gurnard Parish? But HoneyB you are so right some people are pathetic I certainly know a few and I hope you make plenty of honey this summer to sweeten them up, perhaps you should taste it first.
Bus user
Just shows how pathetic some folk are?
Rather than being positive and supportive all they can come up with are petty remarks!
Lets work together on this issue, or does the comment by ‘bus user’ show there can be no collaboration?
HoneyB
I note you said Cowes Town and Northwood Parish Roger, does that mean Gurnard Parish are not involved I thought this was a 3 player team?
The more involved the better.
Bus user.
Thank you Roger, Glad to see the Parish Council taking the initiative on this important social issue. Good luck for a successful outcome.
Regards
GRC.
Thanks Graham and all.
Northwood Parish Council and Cowes Town Council have formed a working group to address this important issue.
John Pullen, Northwood Chairman will be reporting back at the Parish meeting on 1st February.
All welcome as usual.
Best wishes
Roger Mazillius
Thank you to both responses posted in relation to the thread regarding Community Bus Services.
I accept that all schemes need to take that one first small step, unfortunately time is fast running out for residents in the area’s affected by Bus Service cuts.
What is clearly needed is an organised group that can be empowered to act on behalf of all the Parish Councils whose area’s are involved.
Perhaps better still, a mandated sub group from each parish council to act as the lead in setting up the service/s and carrying out parish consultations, building up a plan of costings etc.
I am of the opinion that each parish council should take the initiative on this matter and act swiftly.
If it proves to be outside parish fiscal boundaries then at least it will be seen as at least you tried.
Regards
GRC.
Your right and it looks like Gurnard (www.gurnardpc.com) are making a move to get the Council to think before they stop all the village buses. Perhaps the Gurnard and Northwood Councilors should leave those cars in the garage and try walking if they think its not a problem. I know Paul uses the buses and he appears to be doing his bit and I thank him for that.
another bus user (Pete)
Your letter has been copied on the Gurnard Independant site, I think some Gurnard people are in total agreement with your thoughts. Lets make it happen.
a bus user.
Due to the impending financial changes being proposed by Central Government, it is patently clear that all forms of ‘Local Government’ are going to face fiscal constraints in the coming year or two.
What service will suffer has not yet been put into the public domain, however there is a service that is highly expected to receive the chop. Rural Bus Services! The Parish Chairman has got it right, time is now to commence work to get this worthwhile scheme up and running.
On routes where these are provided most are run at or near non-profit levels. The present provider I believe will withdraw from these routes leaving the communities isolated and especially those without transport of their own will suffer hardship.
Communities must work together and with what assistance is available put together a viable service to replace those lost.
A Cowes-Gurnard-Northwood District service, route as yet decided, would I feel provide a life-line to Rural Communities in our part of the Island.
If proven a success, there is scope for some form of expansion on a small scale to develop the service further.
Any resident interested in assisting setting up this type of service please contact your Local Councillor on either Cowes, Gurnard, Northwood Parish Councils.
Your assistance would not include donating money at this stage, but people with experience in the transport industry would be very welcome to give advice. Those with financial experience dealing with Banks and Authorities again would be most welcome.
Local residents who in the past have run small Taxi or small Bus services it seems to me would have a wealth of knowledge they could assist us with. With a hint of irony I believe that Southern Vectis would assist where possible.
Consider this carefully…Help Us… Help Our Community
G R Cotterill Northwood.