tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988587131543641843.post5300649673740243085..comments2024-03-15T11:31:32.897+00:00Comments on A Transport of Delight: Topping outLEYTRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14575755776610646694noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988587131543641843.post-55515492113212460332011-06-02T21:43:31.951+01:002011-06-02T21:43:31.951+01:00Irrespective of the politics, if the free concessi...Irrespective of the politics, if the free concession is removed from the service, will it have a negative effect to the area. This is what local residents fear most. We believe it does not and tried to offer a balanced argument. <br /><br />It is also possible to travel very near to and between both terminal points using conventional bus services with the town centre, which would not be excluded from the scheme. Presumably because of this, Service 109 with its open-top 'deckers is seen by NYCC as being operated primarily for the purposes of tourism.<br /><br />Locals can hold their county council to account. As we make clear in the article, it is likely to be the first instance of its kind in the country and we certainly don't want to see it spread. But in the harsh light of day, residents of Scarborough need to consider where else the CC will make £240k saving if not from the open-top tourist seaside bus service.<br /><br />And I think we all know the answer to that.LEYTRhttp://LEYTR.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988587131543641843.post-16061072343879703112011-06-01T22:56:14.036+01:002011-06-01T22:56:14.036+01:00The exemption is not for "open top services&q...The exemption is not for "open top services", it is for "Services operated primarily for the purposes of tourism or because of the historical interest of the vehicle" <br /><br />According to the DfT it is intended to exclude sightseeing tours and the like, not local bus services in areas popular with tourists.<br /><br />(see http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/concessionary/informationlocalauthorities/eligibleservices/servicechanges)<br /><br />The real problem here is that the DfT came up with some conjuring tricks last year to cut the amount they pay to local authorities to reimburse bus operators for carrying concessionary pass-holders (and new guidance to justify local authorities in cutting their reimbursement), and dressed this up in a smoke screen about 'efficiency savings'<br /><br />Surely what sets out to be a pro-public transport website ought to be arguing more that the government is short-changing public transport, rather than seemingly blaming passengers for using it, and encouraging the spiral of decline to start again...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com