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Bus service re-launched

4:10pm Monday 9th February 2009 in


A bus service which only last month faced the axe was re-launched today.

Watford coach firm Mullany's has taken over the 318 service after operating company Metroline withdrew because of the ‘increasingly uncertain economic climate’.

Hundreds of residents fought to save the service, which links Abbots Langley, with Watford town centre.

Mullany's Director Kevin Crawford says the company is looking forward to working with the local community.

Mr Crawford said: “We are a local company serving our community. Our priority is simply to put our customers first by giving them an efficient and professional service. We hope to look after them with courtesy, reliability and safety.”

The red bus runs every 30 minutes on Mondays to Fridays, with a slightly reduced service at lunchtimes and after 3pm.

Watford and Abbots Langley MP Claire Ward tried out the new service on its first day of operation this morning.

After a round trip from the village high street to Watford town centre Ms Ward said: "I'm pleased the service has been saved. There was a really family atmosphere on the bus into Watford this morning.

“People were having a chat and cracking jokes. It's obvious the service is a vital link for people wanting to get into Watford without having to take their cars. I just hope that Mullany's can manage to make it pay even with the subsidy from local councils."

Comments(8)

watfordsfinest says...
5:01pm Mon 9 Feb 09

wow...claire has let herself go a bit, hasn't she?

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enlightened one says...
5:52pm Mon 9 Feb 09

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
h

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Mike Watford says...
10:39pm Mon 9 Feb 09

well done to the Watford and Three Rivers councils for stepping in and saving this service.

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Paradise Watford says...
7:58am Tue 10 Feb 09

Claire Ward is obviously taking tips from Dotty and turning up for every photo opportunity she can now. She's probably never been in Watford so much before in her life as she has the past few months!

Is there an election comming up?

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Andrew1963 says...
2:01pm Tue 10 Feb 09

Will anyone use the bus - apart from the 60+ year olds with free bus passes? Bus services in SW Herts have the lowest usage by full time workers in the whole of UK (figures from Local Transport Today). Until buses become a proper alternative to the cheapness, reliability and convenience of private cars, these sort of services are always going to struggle to survive.

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Floater says...
6:15pm Tue 10 Feb 09

Frump of the month looks at home on that bus, she has the right temperament for your typical bus-driver ... couldn't-give-a-monk
ey's attitude!

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redhead says...
12:45pm Wed 11 Feb 09

Good job local councillors and Mullanys worked to save the bus service, just so Ms Ward could have her photo taken!

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redhead says...
12:47pm Wed 11 Feb 09

Good job local councillors and Mullanys worked to save the bus service, just so Ms Ward could have her photo taken!

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Driver Peter Gilbert with MP Claire Ward on board the new 318 service Driver Peter Gilbert with MP Claire Ward on board the new 318 service

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