Troubled bus operator First last night cut a number of services in Somerset – potentially damaging the county's economic recovery.
First Group, which earlier this week revealed to the City a terrible set of figures that sparked a 30 per cent decline in its share price, said it was cutting routes in Bridgwater, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare. There is also a risk of up to 12 redundancies.
Public transport campaigner David Redgewell, of the South West Transport Network, called for Somerset MPs to join talks over the future of services in the county.
The announcement follows an in depth review of the company's entire network.
Mr Redgewell said: "I am calling for an urgent meeting led by Somerset County Council and First and for another led by the West of England Partnership and North Somerset Council. Somerset MPs need to be involved. This will affect the economy of the countryside and Somerset as a county. First has been making operating losses and paid no dividends and it has been hit by the result of the West Coast rail line fiasco, but we can't lose these rural lifelines."
In Taunton, First revealed plans to increase the frequency of buses on service 22 from every 20 minutes to every 15, but will be removing service 2. In Weston-super-Mare First proposes to remove service 1 and service 14. In Bridgwater, First proposes to remove town services 1, 2 and 3, but will register a brand new service which will mean that many of its existing customers will continue to benefit from a First service.
First said that the routes to be removed have underperformed for a number of years, despite the introduction of a variety of marketing and promotional initiatives. The company is now faced with extra cost pressures due to the economic climate, high fuel prices, increased competition and cuts in external funding. It said the proposed changes to the routes will ensure the long term sustainability of other, better-used services.
First has also started the collective consultation process with trade unions on the possibility of up to 12 redundancies at its Bridgwater bus depot. However, the company is hopeful, following positive discussions yesterday that no redundancies will be necessary and rather affected staff will be offered opportunities in neighbouring depots.
The consultation process began on Monday and will conclude next Thursday.
Paul Matthews, service delivery director, said: "We are considering some changes to our services in Somerset and I'm sorry that some of our customers may be adversely affected. We have been running some services at a loss for some time, despite our best efforts to encourage greater demand. As a commercial operator, we simply cannot afford to continue to fund such little-used routes.
"I know that some of our customers will be disappointed with our proposals but we will be working with Somerset County Council on the future of bus services in the area. I can assure customers that we remain fully committed to operating services across Somerset and will continuously look for opportunities to grow the network where demand exists. Our proposals do not, in any way, reflect the commitment and quality of our staff. I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism and dedication. We will be doing everything that we can and will explore all options to avoid making any of our staff redundant."
Some 40 staff are employed at First's Bridgwater depot, which operates 24 buses.
