City councillors launch petition to save local bus routes

Newport Pagnell South Councillor Jane Carr started the petition to save the number 1 and 2 bus routes that serve the town after hearing concerns over inaccurate passenger numbers being recorded by the operator.

The petition that will be presented at Full Council tonight has received over 700 signatures and is calling on Arriva to complete an audit of both bus services after residents reported the ticket machines were often out of order.

This means that not only is Arriva failing to collect bus fares, but more importantly the accurate number of passengers using the services is not being properly recorded.

Councillor Jane Carr, who represents Newport Pagnell South, said:

“The City Council is doing all it can to ensure vital bus services remain running for residents across the city, so it’s disappointing to hear concerns about the lack of accurate information being recorded.

“Every day, hundreds of people rely on these services to get them to work, school, and to the supermarkets, but I’m worried that without exact passenger numbers Arriva will think the routes are unviable and pull the 1 and 2.”

The number 1 which serves Newport Pagnell, Green Park, and Downs Barn, and the 2 that connects Newport Pagnell, Poet’s Estate, and Downs Barn is two of the seven bus routes at risk of being withdrawn by local operators.

In September last year, the City Council launched a campaign to save the bus routes after operators said they would stop services if passenger numbers didn’t increase.

Earlier this year, the City Council announced that it was extending the campaign and committed to funding the seven services until July this year, whilst encouraging residents to get back on the bus to ensure the routes remain.

The petition will be presented at Full Council tonight, residents can stream the meeting live by visiting https://www.youtube.com/user/MiltonKeynesCouncil