Vital bus services saved (From Watford Observer)

Vital bus services saved

1:01pm Tuesday 20th January 2009

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Two doomed bus routes in Watford and Abbots Langley have been saved from the chop.

Last month operating company Metroline announced that it was to cut its 346 and 318 services due to ‘rising costs and an increasingly uncertain economic climate’ sparking fury among residents, councillors and Abbots Langley and Watford MP Claire Ward.

Shocked residents, who rely on the red buses to connect them to Watford town centre to do their weekly shopping, called for the decision to be reversed.

At a meeting last Friday Watford Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council and Mullany's Coaches agreed to subsidise the 318 after two weeks of discussions.

Hertfordshire County Council confirmed today that 'negotiations had been positive' and that it would also be funding the service.

County Councillor Paul Goggins, who also set-up a petition to save the 318, said: "This is wonderful news. As someone who has used the route, I know how useful it is for Abbots Langley residents.

“I hope the 318 goes from strength to strength with Mullany's and continues to serve the village for many years to come. I hope that residents will leave their cars at home and support the service more than ever - it really is use it or you may lose it.”

The announcement will be a welcomed relief for hundreds of villagers who turned out to a coffee morning yesterday to fight for it continuation, unaware that a decision to save it was already in place.

It seems that local councillors were at pains to point out that the agreement to save the 318 had been made before the coffee morning was held to discuss its future.

Ms Ward, who had arranged the coffee morning with Metroline bosses, said: “If the local authorities have been able to put a package together to the save the 318 then obviously I welcome it.

“Yesterday’s meeting was not about party politics. We have all played a part to save a service which means so much to hundreds of people. We now want to see the final details to ensure the service’s long term future.”

Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill praised Mullany's director Kevin Crawford and council transport officer Pauline Pownceby for their work to keep the service going.

She said: “Bus routes like this have to be subsidised, but we're prepared to do it because we believe this is the kind of service the oldest people need.”

Mayor Thornhill warned, however, that there will be no more bus bailouts if Hertfordshire County Council decides to axe some routes following their current service review.

She added: “This route matters to a key group of people and we are prepared to do that. In future, there may be other routes that we won't be diving into our pockets for.”

The 318 will be taken over by Mullany's Coaches based in St Albans Road, Watford, when operating company Metroline pulls out in February.

The 346 bus route which links residents in Woodside, and Meriden with the town centre and the Asda shopping complex will be operated on a reduced timetable by Arriva.

Meriden ward Councillor Jan Brown said:"I am delighted for all the residents who rely on these services. It just shows what people power can do.

"I am extremely grateful to Mayor Thornhill who was instrumental in getting a solution to saving the services."

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