I’m waiting for a good bus service (From Falmouth Packet)

I’m waiting for a good bus service

12:29pm Wednesday 3rd June 2009

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When will the public transport system in Cornwall be something everyone can be proud of?

Perhaps not at all considering the number of complaints plus the fact there seems to be a monopoly when it comes to operators.

Is it any wonder why so few people want to make use of public transport? This past week a Cornish MP has been in discussions with bus operators First because of an alleged deteriorating service they are now offering the villages around west Cornwall.

Last week we had train operators First Great Western coming in for criticism over the Falmouth branch line service – a service which is supposed to have been improved by creating the so called Penryn loop but one which uses old rolling stock with insufficient capacity and a timetable which appears to have been a little haphazard to say the least. Back on the buses, many passengers in and around Falmouth and Helston have been more than a little confused as to which bus goes where and when, apart from trying to establish how to reach main towns from outlying villages. Another constant complaint has been over services which simply fail to turn up.

Last month yours truly went over the Tamar and up country as they say, where public transport is a different ball game. I even spotted one passenger holding out her arm to stop a bus which promptly did so with barely a seat to spare. Now that is what I call using public transport to the full.

Back in Cornwall and the arm may stay up all day in the hope of a bus coming along.

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