Malvern residents urges to have their say on public transport strategy - The Malvern Observer

Malvern residents urges to have their say on public transport strategy

Malvern Editorial 8th Sep, 2019   0

BUS COMPANIES have been urged to deliver punctuality and reliablity by the county’s highways chief as consultation on the proposed Passenger Transport Strategy put forward by Worcestershire County Council draws to a close.

Coun Alan Amos delivered the warning to bus companies who may be looking to provide services in the county as part of the new blueprint into the future of public transport in areas such as Worcester and Malvern.

Speaking ahead of the consultation deadline next Friday (September 13), the outspoken councillor said increased bus use was the key to removing cars from the county’s congested roads.

“So I would say again to the bus operators, reliability and punctuality are the most important ingredients to your success or failure,” Coun Amos said.




The strategy looks at the many ways residents travel throughout the county.

Passenger opinion is regarded as vital to make sure the county’s transport services meet the future needs of the local community.


The county council is hoping to identify current and potential travel patterns and needs to deliver the most effective, integrated transport service possible, particularly as it has less money available due to cuts in its budget.

Key to this is home to work and home to school journeys and the county recognises that a healthy commercial network is critical in delivering this.

In its strategy county chiefs say: “It is important for Worcestershire residents that commercial bus networks are attractive, efficient and stable.

“Well-run networks can meet the needs of local people by providing a transport network which reduces congestion, vehicular emissions and provides access to a wide range of employment and wider life-enhancing opportunities.”

The consultation will specifically look at the contribution these services make to the local economy, and their value in terms of community, health and wellbeing.

Coun Amos said: “I want to put the whole network onto a much more secure longer-term footing by finding out what services people actually want, what they’re prepared to pay for, and where the County Council can assist both financially and logistically with it all.

“It is a big task but we need to be ambitious and innovative to ensure we have long-term provision for a county-wide network.”

Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/passengertransportstrategy or collect, complete and deliver your comments via printed forms from your local library.

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