Reverse cuts to 580 bus service running from Settle – Skipton. The service was suddenly reduced on 13 April the 580 from an hourly to a two hourly service outside peak hours, representing a loss of three round trips. This route is provided by Kirby Lonsdale Coach Hire and run as a commercial service.
Since then there has been growing public and passengers concerns at the loss of these vital services and on 3 June a hastily organised public meeting was held in Long Preston attended by nearly 40 people. The meeting agreed that an approach be made to North Yorkshire Council (via local NYC councillors) requesting them to restore the timetable to its pre 13 April levels by paying a subsidy to the operators for a period of 6 months. This should be reviewed at the end of the period or earlier in the event of fuel prices return to the pre 28 February levels.
At the meeting many examples of the negative impacts on passengers arising from the cuts were given. These included an increase in social isolation and impact on health, missed hospital and GP appointments, reduced opportunities for shopping and business appointments and overcrowding on some services resulting in people including school pupils not being allowed to board.
Subsequently residents and campaigners have launched a petition on the North Yorkshire Council web site calling for the restoration of the hourly service. Please sign it by going to: ePetition – Restore the 580 bus service to an hourly timetable A similar paper petition has also been launched and is available in the Settle Community Library. It is also featured in Settle Chat under ‘Sign the Petition’.
Meanwhile arrangements are being made for a meeting between campaigners and North Yorkshire Councillors.
More on this story at Yorkshire Bylines.