RESIDENTS in Topsham have expressed their anger at the possible loss of the town's "lifeline" T bus service, which they say is heavily relied on to get in and out of the town.
The proposed cut comes after Devon County Council prepared to reduce its public transport budget in the coming financial year. It is the first time they have suggested making service reductions in four years. To help meet the £50 million budget reduction required by Government spending cuts next year, DCC now face making savings of £1.7m from their annual public transport budget. If the cuts go ahead it could leave many residents, including the elderly, without transport.
Despite the County Council setting up a three year fund of £100,000 per year to help support Community Transport providers expand their services in local communities, the cuts have sparked deep concern for the Topsham community.
Dave Fuggle, of Lower Wear Road, says he believes the route is essential. Mr Fuggle, who uses a wheelchair, said:
"As far as I'm concerned a route is a route, and that small route is vitally important to me, and an awful lot of other people who live in Topsham and work in Exeter. If it happens I will find it extremely awkward to get to Topsham because the nearest bus stop isn't wheelchair friendly. I would have to go out of the estate and all the way around the roundabout to catch the bus – and as you can imagine, in an electric wheelchair it makes it more difficult.
"My frustration is that Stagecoach is being awarded public money, while we are losing a vital route. Public transport was privatised to improve the service and competition. In Exeter we have one company running all city services that seems to only want to run the most profitable routes and, despite making £100's of million profits each year, they want the taxpayer to subsidise the less profitable. I see this as the taxpayer subsidising their shareholders dividends, which is surely not the original idea when public transport was privatised."
"The 57 route in the evening is hourly, not every 15 minutes."
Mary Ogley, 85, of Exe Vale road area, says she was incensed when she first heard of the plans to eliminate the T bus.
She said: "It means that every evening after 7pm on weekdays, as well as Sundays and bank holidays, there will be no bus that goes through Topsham from Countess Wear. It's the only bus that runs after 7pm and if it stops it means the only bus will be the one that runs at the top of the road, by the bus station. I wouldn't want to walk in the dark and hang around at the bus station.
"I go to a lot of things in the lower end of town, and I've always caught the bus. At the moment the T bus stops right outside my doctors' surgery in Topsham. It is so convenient. I can't see why they have chosen this route to go – it's essential to people living in Topsham."
Mrs Ogley says the loss of the T bus doesn't just affect the elderly.
"It will mean all the mums will have to get up to the main road. A lot of people don't drive their cars because there's nowhere to park, so getting the bus is easier. It affects so many people in so many ways."
If the cuts go ahead they are set to hit rural villages the hardest, including Otterton, whose Exmouth – Sidmouth 157 service is currently operated by Stagecoach and subsidised by DCC. Other towns and villages expected to experience reductions and cuts to their services include Service 53 Exeter to Colyford, Service 397 Hemyock to Tiverton, Service 656 Riddlecombe to Chulmleigh, and Service 149 Totnes to Torquay. Changes to services in East Devon would also severely reduce the number of services, including the complete withdrawal of the 53 Exeter – Seaton service, and the 357 Exmouth – Budleigh Salterton route on Sundays and Bank Holidays, as well as town buses in Honiton and Ottery St Mary.
Cllr Gill Tippins, from Priory of Ward, said the proposed cuts to the T Bus in Topsham will take mobility away from those in most need, and who are reliant on public transport.
"I echo residents' concerns that public money being given to Stagecoach is wrong. My main worry is that it's taking a bus service away from vulnerable people with no other means of transport, and frequently not the finances which will enable them to use taxis.
"The bus service is a lifeline to many and the cut will cause problems for those who regularly use the route to travel in and out of Topsham."
A spokesperson for Stagecoach South West said: "We are aware that Devon County Council is, as part of its tendered bus services consultation, proposing changes to the 'T' service. We would urge anyone who is concerned about these changes to visit www.toughchoices.co.uk to ensure their views are heard.
"In addition, for anyone who wants to travel between Topsham and Exeter, our 57 route runs up to every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday and up to every half hour on Sundays."
The consultation for Devon County Council closes on Monday, April 20, 2015.
