Horsham MP calls for new approach to rural bus services

They came ready with tough questions for James O’Neill, Commercial Director for Stagecoach, the operators; and David Crockford, Public Transport Manager at West Sussex.

Changes in the No 17 timetable mean that passengers must now travel south to Henfield before changing buses to continue their journey north to Horsham. This makes many journeys impractical, especially for school children and senior citizens.

Residents received hardly any warning of the change. This was said to be for reasons of commercial confidentiality - yet the ‘good news’ part of the story, the restoration of a Sunday service, was announced at Full Council in WSCC months before.

John Milne MP for Horsham who also attended the meeting comments: “I don’t accept that residents had to be excluded. The lack of consultation meant there was no time to consider other possible route adjustments and find a compromise.

"The fundamental problem here is a complete mismatch between the kind of service people want, and what they’re actually being given. For too long the County Council has presided over a regime of death-by-a-thousand cuts. Yes, our bus service was privatised long ago, but WSCC is just too hands off in their approach to a vital local amenity.

"The one positive aspect about what’s happened in Partridge Green is the response of residents in a local bus survey. It showed that there are many more possible passengers if we get the service right. Enough to make the service profitable for Stagecoach, and effective for residents.

"I have agreed to meet with Stagecoach to discuss how we can protect the viability of this and other rural services, which play such a key role in the life of our villages.”