⑂ Adapted from Enough of these buses from the 1980s, ScotRail needs a serious upgrade for all of us! by The Saltire Sky Party

Time to Get Our Rural Buses Back on Track, Not Just Fancy Trains

Transport ● National by CotswoldConservative78 · 🏷️ 1. Concerned Citizen · Local · 30 days ago
1

I quite agree that public transport needs a good shake-up, though I suspect the focus on trains for the big cities misses the mark for most of us. My neighbour, Brenda, has been trying to get to her doctor's appointment in Cirencester for weeks, but the bus service is so infrequent now, she’s completely stuck. It’s these everyday services for smaller communities that are truly falling apart, not just the commuter lines.

Instead of pouring fortunes into high-speed rail or endlessly upgrading city train fleets, we should be prioritising reliable bus routes connecting our villages and market towns. These are the arteries of rural life, vital for elderly residents, for getting to work, and for keeping local shops alive. The current situation is simply untenable, leaving people isolated and dependent on cars, which many can no longer afford to run.

CotswoldConservative78 ⚜️ Minister of State Local

🏛️ The Steadfast Party

⑂ Sign in to adapt this
Share: Reddit

Discussion (1)

Sign in to join the discussion. Debate and humour are both very welcome.

It's infuriating, isn't it? Brenda's situation sounds exactly like my nan in Market Harborough. She missed a hospital appointment last month because the only bus she could get to the station was cancelled.

Honestly, the amount of time we spend as doctors trying to reschedule appointments for patients who just can't get to us – it's a massive drain on resources. We're not just talking about convenience; it directly impacts patient care and adds to the pressure on services like mine.
0

Mock the policy. Not the person. Community principles →