After scoring a victory this year with the launch of the 105 bus service between Greystoke and Penrith, Pam Wood, chair of Greystoke’s Bus User Group is issuing an urgent appeal to the community to back the bus or risk losing it.
After years of campaigning to have a local bus service, Pam is inviting supporters to come forward with suggestions to support usage, including individuals/groups who have ideas for on board chatty bus events, and even musicians wanting to liven journeys up with on board performances.
“If people have got proposals for community events and a chat, any educational thing that people want to come and share, that would be fantastic,” said Pam.
“Musicians or anyone who wants to talk about something of community interest should get in touch.”
While the service which launched in March this year is in regular use Pam says there’s concern that if numbers do not improve it could be cancelled after a review which takes place at the end of the year, which would be a shame after an 18-year wait without a service.
“The bus operates on a yearly contract, so the mantra of use it or lose it is a very real thing,” says Pam. “It would be good if we can bring people into the village, as well, particularly during the summer.
“It should not be just about us going to Penrith. We have the open air swimming pool, the castle, the pubs. There are some lovely walks around here. We do discounts as well. If you visit the castle and you produce that day’s bus ticket then you get 10 per cent off food and drink.
“If you go to the swimming pool you get a half price drink if you show you got there by bus. The Clickham Inn also offers discounts for the bus users.”
She says the launch of the service has not been helped by the occasional cancellations which have occurred. “We have had quite a few buses cancelled on us or they have been really delayed. The app that Stagecoach provide is not always up-to- date,” she said.
“We are really trying to build people’s confidence in using the bus however when it has been cancelled that sets us back a little bit. My big fear is that the end of this year, Stagecoach are going to say you have not put enough people on the bus. But when the bus does not turn up that is not helpful.”
Pam says Mark Hodgkiss, scheduled bus service officer for Westmorland and Furness Council, has been very supportive though and is looking at ways to help, including making the bus timetable more user friendly.
He has even added stickers at the stops informing people they can stand both sides of the road to catch the bus.
To give the service a boost, local MP Tim Farron and councillor Judith Derbyshire are backing Pam’s appeal and will be kicking off the 105’s chatty bus programme in August with an on board community consultation.
To find out more or to contact the bus user group to offer support, visit www.transport.greystokevillage.co.uk
