THE BUS USER GROUP FOR NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

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Minutes of NHBUG Meeting – 10 October 2019.

This Meeting was held at Baldock Community Centre, Meeting started at 14:00,

Approx. 12 members attended. Also attending were: Councillors Tony Hunter, Fiona Hill. Morgan Derbyshire
Apologies received from: Councillors Ian Mantle, Derrick Ashley

It was noted that although Radwell is in Hertfordshire it does not feature all options in the Intalink journey planner, e.g. the 91 bus service.

Attention was drawn to the Women’s Institute campaign ‘Get on Board’. They are looking for case studies. Details via their website.

Thanks was expressed to Guy Brigden for info provided on the Royston Gateway service. This is now in operation. A new timetable is in operation with all but a few peak time contraflow journeys going via Gateway.

The Government initiatives on buses and the latest transport consultation were discussed. The following points were made:
- there is a need to restore services after 6pm and on Sundays.
- Baldock has virtually no bus links to Stevenage and Lister hospital. Past attempts to slightly modify the 55 service to link Baldock have met with lack of interest from Arriva.
- services to villages are poor or non-existent
- fares are too expensive
- the Council currently does not have the power to franchise services but has put in place a quality partnership which gives some limited power to require operators to improve services.
- there is no ‘new money’ available so any initiatives regarding buses have to come from within the existing budget, or by diverting monies from other highways schemes.

Royston wants to be a ‘sustainable travel town’ and will get direct assistance from the department of transport.

The timetable for the 301/2 service between Stevenage, Hatfield and St Albans has changed with some splitting of longer routes.

Usage of the 202 Ashwell station link has plummeted. Resources will probably be allocated to a more useful route.
Usage of the 91 route in the mornings has also dropped as it appears school children are no longer using it. There are proposals to possible merge with the 127 route. More details to follow.

The next meeting will be Wednesday 15th January 2020 at 14:00, at Letchworth Council office, Gernon Rd. David Wakelin – Secretary: North Herts BUG

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