The Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition in charge of South Gloucestershire Council must ensure the 84/85 bus service has a long term future, Conservatives say.
It follows news that a three month extension to the 84/85 has been secured thanks, in part, to an intervention from Conservative-run Gloucestershire County Council.
Before May’s local elections, South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative administration put extra money aside to extend the 84/85 Yate to Wotton-Under-Edge service after the Labour WECA Mayor refused to commit long term funding.
That extension has now come to an end and the South Glos Conservatives have welcomed the latest extension as good news for bus users in Yate and the surrounding area.
But the Labour-Lib Dem coalition now in charge of South Glos Council cannot keep relying on temporary extensions and must instead do all it possibly can to secure a long term future for the 84/85 service.
Cllr Liz Brennan, the Conservative Group’s Shadow Cabinet member responsible for transport, said: “The new administration needs to ensure that the people of Yate are not treated like second class passengers and that a permanent solution is found, and found quickly.
“Residents have been clear about how they will be affected if the 84/85 is completely removed, and I urge the administration, along with the Labour WECA Mayor, to listen to these concerns and work together to secure the future of this important bus route.”
The Labour-Lib Dem coalition has not yet revealed how the extension is to be funded, but a contribution has been made by Conservative-run Gloucestershire County Council.
Despite being legally responsible for delivering the region’s bus services, the West of England Combined Authority, led by Labour Mayor Dan Norris, has cut numerous bus services and refused to fund ones that are vital to prevent communities being cut off.
Rather than spending money on vital bus routes, the WECA Mayor has continued to waste public money on swanky new office blocks, large increases in back office staff and, most recently, a multi-million pound publicity gimmick that gives people free transport on their birthday.
Cllr Becky Romaine, Conservative ward member for Chipping Sodbury & Cotswold Edge, said: “While I welcome the latest extension to the 84/85 service, local people desperately need a permanent solution so we can have a fully working bus network that residents have confidence in.
“As the local ward councillor, I will continue to press South Gloucestershire Council and the West of England Combined Authority to do what needs to be done to save this vital bus route.”
