Letter: On the Buses

Published on: 23 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 23 Sep, 2019

Guildford shuttle-bus

From Gordon Bridger

hon alderman and former Mayor of Guildford

Having been involved in the saga of the underused and initially expensive “shuttle-bus” (its name was mistake number one, it should be called “shopper bus”) I welcome the GBC proposal to carry out a feasibility study.

Cllr George Potter [Lib Dem, Burpham] rightly mentions the many administrative complications as does Andrew Halliday, managing director of Safeguard Buses, who was always helpful in keeping it going.

The then council, not unreasonably, decided that a subsidy of £100,000 per annum was too much. Cllr Potter correctly states that it is unlikely to be profitable.
It is unlikely that the council limited to a max £5 per increase in council tax (band D), and embarking on a reduction of staff of around 100, is going to be willing to make a significant contribution to such a scheme, even though it would have valuable economic benefits.

Is there a more cost-effective solution? Yes. Firstly, the developers of the North Street development, Berkley Homes, should be required to fund the cost of one or more electric buses (Westfields the previous owners were prepared to fund over £1m for Park and Ride).

Postcard from Santa Barbara, California showing one of their electric buses in operation

One can acquire in the USA very good small electric buses which would be ideal for Guildford. One I used a great deal in Santa Barbara in California carried 28 passengers was easy to access and would be ideal for Guildford. Probable cost less than £50k.

A closer view of the suttle-bus.

The Santa Barbara shuttle-bus summer schedule

Secondly, the GBC should agree to park it at its Woking Road Depot and maintain it. This would be their only cost, maybe £10k per annum.

Thirdly, driver and fuel costs, maybe £60- £70k per annum, could be taken over by Experience Guildford which has funds for such a useful facility and has the management capability and interest to ensure that it was properly operated and promoted. Or it could be sub-contracted to Safeguard.

The route would be the same previous non-commercial one but if Waitrose could be persuaded to contribute it could be diverted to them at little extra cost.

I hope these ideas will be examined by those carrying out this study and will investigate possible USA source for a bus, as there are many small buses available very cheaply. I was inundated by offers costing less than £30k, once I made enquiries.

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