Proposed Bus Service Cuts by Surrey County Council

7.20.00pm GMT Fri 27th Nov 2009

Surrey Buses

In the many conversations I have had with residents regarding public transport, I have not once heard any complaints concerning "the level of empty buses travelling around Surrey". In fact, most residents would like to see more buses travelling on more routes, more frequently, and accept the need for subsidies to provide these services.

The proposed cuts will leave many communities with no bus service whatsoever. Those who can will be forced to use their cars, increasing pollution, congestion, and parking problems on our already crowded roads. Those who can't will be left isolated from friends and family, cut off from community activities and may suffer from limited access to employment opportunities.

When will the Conservative leadership start to see public transport as an essential public service rather than a business which must be operated as a profit making concern? There is no mention in the proposals of the long term benefits to the environment, community cohesion and local employment that a subsidised transport system provides, only of the modest short term financial savings that these cuts will provide.

Residents can be assured that the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight these unacceptable cuts to our essential public services, and I would urge residents to continue to make their views known to Surrey County Council .

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion at the next Council meeting on 15th December opposing the cuts, and I hope that Conservative County Councillors representing Divisions in Reigate and Banstead will defy the party whip and join us in the fight to save our buses.

Peter Lambell

Surrey County Councillor

Reigate Central