Friday 15 May 2015
Since October 2014 the Environment Department has been trialling a new Parish Link (P1) "Community" based bus service as the first of a number of potential pilot schemes that would see a new type of smaller bus operating in the Island. The service operates hourly between the Airport and Vazon, providing links to communities that are not currently covered by the conventional bus network. The service provides connections to a whole host of local amenities including several super markets, post offices, a bank and a Doctor's Surgery and can also be used to connect to other scheduled services through hub connections at Vazon and the Airport.
Whilst any new bus service will take time to establish itself, the Department is disappointed that passenger numbers on this particular trial route have not increased since it was first introduced (current passenger numbers are averaging just one person per service).
Minister for the Environment Department, Deputy Yvonne Burford said
"Whilst naturally disappointed that the current P1 Community service has not attracted the levels of passenger growth required to sustain such a service in the longer-term, it remains important to try and provide alternative travel options for those living in less accessible parts of the Island and so other similar trials will be considered in the event that this particular route is not deemed sustainable."
In recognition of the situation and in light of existing pressure elsewhere on the network at this time, the Department has decided to remove the first Route P1 service of the day that departs the Airport at 07:30hrs with effect from Monday 18th May in order that the bus can be used to reinstate the first part of the 08:05hrs Route 51 service from the Town Terminus to Foote's Lane which had previously been discontinued during school term times. This will mean that the general public as well as Grammar students will once again be able to use the service that was previously in place up until 4th May. Accordingly, the Grammar 1A integrated school bus that had been diverted in order to cater for school students will now return to its previous routing.
Further consideration will be given to the future of the entire P1 Community Service in due course and if passenger numbers do not show signs of increasing consideration will be given to axing this particular service and reallocating the resources to alternative community based services or elsewhere on the route network.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 243400
