Users can influence bus services in Cornwall
10:40am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Letters
I AM writing to you in response to a letter which appeared in the Falmouth Packet on 2 May (Is there a transport users’ forum in Cornwall?).
I would like to advise Lomond Handley that there are a number of different ways that local bus users can influence services in Cornwall. As the major bus operator in the area First Devon and Cornwall has its own customer panel. The company has been recruiting members for this over the past couple of months, and plans to hold a customer panel meeting in June. This panel gives bus users in the area the opportunity to talk directly to managers and influence forthcoming company policy. Your readers, Lomond Handley included, can find out more about the panel at: www.firstgroup.com/cornwall.
In addition to this the company regularly holds Meet the Manager Sessions in Devon and Cornwall. In recent months it has held events in Penzance, Truro, Plymouth and Penzance amongst others, giving customers the opportunity to raise issues directly with the local management team.
The company also has an active Facebook page and Twitter account, both of which offer customers the opportunity to interact with staff online.
We are concerned to hear about the problems that Lomond Handley has encountered while trying to use local buses. While it is not possible for us to tell – from his letter - who he spoke to in Falmouth I would like to assure Mr Handley that we do have local offices and managers in Cornwall. The Travel Shops in Penzance and Truro, or the bus stations in Camborne or Falmouth all offer customers a focal point, enabling them to offer feedback about local services in person if they wish to.
We would urge Mr Handley to contact us in one of the ways mentioned, or by calling our customer service department on 0845 600 1420, so we can better understand and address the concerns he has about the local bus service.
Alternatively if he would like information about other transport groups then Bus Users UK or the Campaign for Better Transport may offer him the information he is seeking. If he, or other bus users intend to set up their own forums, we would welcome the ability to work with them as necessary to understand local concerns, with a view to making public transport in the region even better.
Natacha Tagholm,Regional Customer Services Manager, First South West & Wales
