Buses shake up fears for South Lakeland residents

12:09pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

SOUTH Lakeland villages could be left isolated after a bus company was shunned in a contract shake-up, it is claimed.

Stagecoach has lost six south Cumbrian contracts, including all Kendal town routes, in new arrangements to start in September.

Companies including Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire, KT’s Coaches and Wigton-based Reays Coaches will take them on.

But after losing business in the retendering process, there are fears Stagecoach could shelve loss-making routes it agreed to continue last year after a campaign to save them.

The company would not confirm which routes but a spokesman said services which run at a ‘commercial risk’ were being evaluated.

It is understood that the 552 service from Arnside to Kendal through Natland, Hincaster and Sedgwick is one of them.

Hincaster pensioner Ann Dent, 75, said the bus was ‘essential’ for elderly residents and those without cars.

“We would be absolutely stranded,” said Mrs Dent, who uses the bus to go to the doctors. “We have always had a bus here – even throughout the war – it makes a big difference to our lives.”

Margaret Powell, 77, of Sedgwick, added: “It’s the only way I can get to the shops in Kendal. It takes a good part of your pension just to get from A to B – what’s the point in having a bus pass if you can’t use it?”

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Natland Parish Council chairman David Peters said losing the bus would have a ‘serious effect’ on the village.

He added: “The uncertainty isn’t good for people wanting to use the bus system.”

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron wants an urgent meeting with Cumbria County Council, which awards the contracts.

He said Stagecoach showed ‘goodwill’ by continuing loss-making routes axed by the council, adding: “They’re losing a few routes in this and that is potentially going to test their willingness to support other routes.”

Stagecoach has lost the X35 Barrow-Kendal service; all Kendal town services; the 106 Penrith-Kendal; the 505 winter Kendal to Coniston service; and one of two 567 Kendal-Kirkby Lonsdale routes.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said the retendering, expected to save around £875,000 in 2012/13, had seen ‘unprecedented interest’, with 93 submissions.

Coun Tim Knowles, cabinet member for transport, said: “While it may not be good news for companies who have traditionally enjoyed market dominance, it is good news for small Cumbrian bus operators breaking through into new markets and good news for the local economy.”

Comments(17)

tom watson says...
2:03pm Thu 21 Jun 12

I loved travelling on your buses on my visits to the "Old Dart" it's pity not more people use them, they would rather pay to park in Kendal than give up the car. I remember when only a few had the luxury of a car and the buses were full. The only problem I had with buses was that they took me to school.

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Old Fart says...
6:04pm Thu 21 Jun 12

I use the bus when it's raining to go into Kendal, I wouldn't dream of using the car unless I had an heavy item to pick up.

Where I live it's like a pensioners day out, well at least 90% of us.

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support Cumbria says...
6:24pm Thu 21 Jun 12

This looks like corporate blackmail and I'm disappointed that Tim Farron is readily spinning extortion of the council over many years as "good will".

Stagecoach have shown their true colours and its not our county colours.

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doodle123 says...
7:00pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Stagecoach have had ALL their town centre routes taken off them with effect from September. After a 20+ year monopoly - the council have finally seen sense and handed these lucrative contracts to other operators. In these last 20 years, Stagecoach have held Cumbria County Council, SLDC & Kendal Town Council to ransom demanding higher & higher subsidies to run an ...ever reducing service. They took over the existing Ribble depot free of charge, They have removed all evening services and even demanded their say in amendments to the one-way system threatening to walk if they didn't get their own way. The council have finally said enoughs enough and called their bluff. Well done!!

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how accurate! says...
8:21pm Thu 21 Jun 12

I agree with doodle123 and support cumbria...! Stagecoach have had it all their own way for years! The article mentions KT's Coaches... The company has not won any of the local bus routes (it didn't tender for any)! The company specialises in home to school transport and has been very succesful in this tender process winning 7 routes (some from Stagecoach). This provides jobs for 5 people and value for money for Cumbria County Council... The company and other small coach/bus operators are not to blame for rural routes operated by Stagecoach being put under threat.... As a Kendalian and Tim Farron voter, I can not believe Mr Farron's thoughtless comments on this issue.

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fellsman says...
10:10pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Isn't it great that local businesses actually can not only compete with the biggies, but win - Stagecoach have held the county to ransom for years. It is no surprise that Farron is jumping on the bandwagon, or should I say bus. He can only object and campaign against, no matter how beneficial these decisions could be for the community and local businesses. The fact is he is totally out of the loop as far as County Council decisions are concerned, therefore he must snipe at them all the time

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Utter says...
3:27pm Fri 22 Jun 12

I don't that was what tim saying. ...he was just asking if the services stagecoach are running currently for free will be continued. Surely that's a good thing to be asking?

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Utter says...
4:02pm Fri 22 Jun 12

I have emailed Tim about this and he said the following: Thank you XXX for getting in touch with me. I am sorry if my comments have created any concern or confusion. I do welcome the opportunity that local businesses have bid for contracts and many of whom have won. That is great news and something I wholeheartedly support. The concern I was trying to raise in the article was that last year we convinced Stagecoach to take on certain services at the 11th hour which were loss leading. We were worried last year and I have certain concerns now that certain communities were going to be without a lifeline – many people rely on public transport.

I would like to meet the county council to talk about the tenders, talk through my concerns and find out how I can support them and make sure no community is left without a vital link.

If I can help further please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours Sincerely

TIM FARRON

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redhairedgranny says...
4:57pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Another band wagon for Farron to jump on! When will people realise what a publicity seaking, useless article he really is.

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Utter says...
8:22pm Mon 25 Jun 12

redhairedgranny wrote:
Another band wagon for Farron to jump on! When will people realise what a publicity seaking, useless article he really is.
Not really. Last year he saved the buses through Natland. It was him and Geoff Cook who working with the parish council who saved those buses. That isn't a press release or a gazette story but actual fact. My aunt who lives in Hincaster for one thanks him for that.

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redhairedgranny says...
8:42pm Mon 25 Jun 12

I'm beginning to wonder if "utter" is a nom de plume for Tim Farron. Either that or his mother! You seem to know sooooo much about the inner workings of the local lib dems. Bet I'm not the only one thinking the same thing?

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motherof2 says...
8:57pm Mon 25 Jun 12

So who is taking on the Kendal town centre routes then? As i remember rightly there was another firm doing them not so long ago and all the buses was tired and old looking. They didn't last long before Stagecoach took them back again.

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Pete Renwick says...
10:06pm Mon 25 Jun 12

I have to agree with Utter - I live in Hincaster and the parish council and Tim did do a lot of work on this last year. He did some good work...

I do think these pages are sometimes crazy!

I think Kirkby Lonsdale coaches are taking the routes over

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oceancloud says...
10:36pm Mon 25 Jun 12

From what I've seen of some of the Kirkby Lonsdale Coaches buses they look like they are on their last legs!

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motherof2 says...
6:57am Tue 26 Jun 12

I think it was them who took over last time and it was on that reason why they were removed.

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Utter says...
10:33am Tue 26 Jun 12

redhairedgranny wrote:
I'm beginning to wonder if "utter" is a nom de plume for Tim Farron. Either that or his mother! You seem to know sooooo much about the inner workings of the local lib dems. Bet I'm not the only one thinking the same thing?
I heard what he did from my aunt...so if Tim is a 64 year old women from Hincaster then yes we are incredibly close! I even buy him a gift at Christmas!

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nixon1 says...
11:52am Wed 27 Jun 12

Utter wrote:
redhairedgranny wrote: I'm beginning to wonder if "utter" is a nom de plume for Tim Farron. Either that or his mother! You seem to know sooooo much about the inner workings of the local lib dems. Bet I'm not the only one thinking the same thing?
I heard what he did from my aunt...so if Tim is a 64 year old women from Hincaster then yes we are incredibly close! I even buy him a gift at Christmas!
knew it!

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