- Stay Connected
Socialize
Abraham Lincoln
If given the truth, the people can be depended upon to meet any national crisis...
Guildford news...
for Guildford people, brought to you by Guildford reporters - Guildford's own news service
Guildford Lib Dem Plan To Check Out Return Of Free Shuttle-Bus Causes Caustic Replies
Published on: 14 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 19 Sep, 2019
Guildford shuttle-bus
A Guildford Liberal Democrat plan to investigate reinstating a free town-centre shuttle-bus service has provoked prickly responses from other parties.
Cllr Joss Bigmore (Christchurch), leader of Residents for Guildford and Villages (R4GV) party, who sits on the Lib Dem-led Executive, said: “Wow, and there was R4GV thinking this was our idea. One might even think there could be a general election imminent.”
Cllr Susan Parker (leader, Guildford Greenbelt Group, Send), who recently resigned from the Executive, said the idea was not the Lib Dems’ alone, adding: “Good intentions butter no parsnips.”
The free shuttle-bus originally operated from 1999 to 2008, then was scrapped by the council’s previous Conservative administration to cut costs. Safeguard resurrected it briefly as a commercial service in 2009, reburying it in 2010.
The bus ran from the railway station around the town centre, including stops at the top and bottom of the High Street, as well on North Street and at the bus station.
Cllr Caroline Reeves
Cllr Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary and St Nicolas), leader of the council, issued a party press release saying: “As part of our work towards the regeneration of the town centre I have asked for a feasibility study on bringing back the town shuttle-bus.
“This will provide information on the costs to reinstate the service and the running costs for the previous service. Our goal is to use smaller buses, possibly from the council’s existing vehicle fleet, and potentially look for sponsorship for the service.
“The original shuttle-bus service provided a vital link between the railway station and the lower and upper High Street. It ran free of charge, making it accessible to everyone, and was particularly valued by older people and those with mobility issues who found the town centre hill difficult to manage.
“Bringing back this service would help shoppers and commuters to get around the town centre, as well as reducing the need for car usage, helping to improve air quality and contributing to our efforts to tackle the climate crisis.”
Cllr Joss Bigmore
R4GV leader Joss Bigmore, although clearly surprised by the announcement, tried to be magnanimous, saying: “The authorship is unimportant, and any idea to help our High Street is very welcome.
“That being said, I must admit I find the press release premature as well as a bit cheeky. The 2008 report that provoked closure of the service suggests that in today’s prices the service would cost well more than £100k a year, and the buses on average carried fewer than 10 passengers per journey.
“While this idea has potential and deserves review we would rather weigh it against other ways to promote our High Street in consultation with the shops and shoppers before making a rash decision.”
Cllr Susan Parker
Cllr Parker added a GGG view: “A shuttle-bus is a good idea but not one that uniquely comes from the Lib Dems. Many others have suggested this before, including me. Obviously, it’s desirable.
“Of course, exploring an idea is, more or less, cost-free. The council should publicise this when they can provide the service, especially if they get sponsorship.”
See also: I Hoped Party Political Antics Would Disappear at GBC
Share This Post
Responses to Guildford Lib Dem Plan To Check Out Return Of Free Shuttle-Bus Causes Caustic Replies
Leave a Comment Please see our comments policy. All comments are moderated and may take time to appear.
Wayne Smith
September 15, 2019 at 8:32 pm
How can the Lib Dem led Guildford Borough Council, having jumped on the bandwagon and declared a climate emergency, possibly suggest using buses from the council’s existing fleet? Surely any shuttle-bus would now have to be electric and therefore hugely expensive to buy? Unless they already have small electric buses sitting around that we don’t know about?
Lisa Wright
September 15, 2019 at 9:59 pm
The high street has complex issues. There are many problems and all must be considered holistically. Trying to fix small pieces one at a time will not result in the huge change we need to develop a high street that is fit for future purpose.
I am not a retail expert but would like to see the council encourage changes with their transport and parking capabilities together with adding a full diary of special events to the town centre program. Why don’t we have a summer fair, carnival, Christmas market, New Year’s party etc?
The council must also find a way of encouraging retailers to stay in Guildford whilst attracting new and diverse companies to the centre. This will happen if the council is seen to improve the area for shoppers.
Just like any organisation, if the product is nicely packaged, is easily accessible and does what it promises, people will come.
Work out what you definitely can’t do anything about, like the steep gradient, the weather and so on and concentrate on what you can change. Organise your objectives, do the SMART thing, Set a budget and stick to it.
Gordon Bridger
September 15, 2019 at 10:09 pm
I was closely involved with the shuttle-bus when I was on the council and together with Bill Bellerby and the Lib Dems opposed its demise.
It was a fairly high-cost subsidy of £100,000 per annum but it was poorly advertised, had the wrong name and, being managed by the Council, not given the management it needed.
Safeguard then took it over but gave it up after a year as they needed the bus for a school run.
A couple of years ago I put forward to Experience Guildford a proposal I discussed with their deputy manager. It was a practical way forward but I never got a reply.
My suggestion, which entailed a cost-sharing by three funding sources is, I believe, still a practical way forward.
1 Capital costs – recently when visiting Santa Barbara in California I travelled in a small electric bus ideal for 28 passengers – well suited to our narrow streets. I need to recheck capital costs but they appeared to be less than £50k. This capital cost for say two vehicles could be funded by the developers of North Street.
2 Maintenance and parking could be provided at GBC’s Woking Road depot
3 Operating costs – fuel and driver, say six hours-a-day (maybe £60k) could be funded by Experience Guildford
The route would be similar to the last one but could divert past Waitrose in return for them funding fuel/energy costs
I would be happy to collaborate in any feasibility study and provide details of the Santa Barbara shopper bus if requested (photo on request).
Gordon bridger is a hon alderman and former Mayor of Guildford
Jean Bridger
September 21, 2019 at 6:13 pm
I am very pleased to learn that we may get back the town centre shuttle-bus. It is missed, especially by the elderly and less mobile.
What was missing from the former service was smart management and information. Our local resident’s group (HTAG) has campaigned for many years for a town centre bus.
Johnny Phelps
April 27, 2021 at 6:57 am
I’m just wondering how the Guildford Lib Dem’s are getting along with delivering a Shuttle Bus? Or indeed, any of the other promises they have made pre and post election? Could we get an update?
George Potter
April 27, 2021 at 12:15 pm
I can’t offer any kind of official response but I imagine that, as with a lot of things, the Covid pandemic and the shut down of the high street for months on end (and lost income for bus companies) has had a huge impact on this and that it’s had to take a back seat while far more urgent issues are dealt with.
I know my colleagues haven’t forgotten about it but it should be remembered that we are now in a fundamentally changed financial and economic environment to the one we were in back in autumn 2019.
George Potter is the Lib Dem candidate for Guildford East in the forthcoming SCC election.