| PRESS Bus
campaign will not stop here, vows Nadine Campaigners have condemned South West Trains' decision to axe financial support for the X66 rail-bus link between Romsey and Winchester and have vowed to fight the decision. SWT, which pumped cash into providing seven extra services operated by Stagecoach after axing the dedicated Romsey to Winchester Rail-bus link last December, blamed poor usage of the route for not continuing the subsidy. All but two of the services will be lost from July 28. Nadine Taylor, of the Save Our Bus Campaign, rubbished SWT's claims that it fully consulted user-groups and local authorities. "To claim that they have 'been talking to user groups every step of the way' is an insult to the people of Romsey who have been treated with contempt by Stagecoach, Hampshire County Council and SWT in this entire process. Of it had not been for our campaign the first the people of Romsey would have known about the cuts to the service would have been when their bus did not turn up one morning because they tried to axe this service through stealth," she said. Nadine blamed Hampshire's transport chief's for not putting enough pressure on SWT to retain the services. Nadine also claimed SOBC was banned from taking part in discussions on the future of the bus service after refusing to agree not to speak to the press about meetings. She added: "HCC are supposed to have the responsibility to provide public services for which we all pay hefty council tax bills and 'at every step of the way' HCC has put Stagecoach and SWT before their own residents. "HCC has repeatedly claimed that our campaign was responsible for falling passenger numbers. But the numbers have fallen because the cutting of the original service meant those people who had been using it on a daily basis were excluded. Any potential new passengers were not going to commit to something that only had six months life expectancy." Nadine said the loss of the services would further isolate Romsey and she would be contacting MP Sandra Gidley about the issue. "The Save Our Bus Campaign has been inundated with e-mails since the news broke, we need to keep this campaign going on behalf of the people of local people. We know that other bus routes in Rosmey are facing cutbacks so this has just highlighted the need for ordinary people like me to stand up for local services and put people before politics," she added. Romsey's Conservative parliamentary candidate Caroline Nokes is also unhappy about the SWT's decision. "What a tragedy the government did not make the bus rail link between Winchester and Romsey a requirement when they were awarded the rail franchise. That has been a requirement when the initial franchise was awarded back in 1996 but was dropped by this government." said Mrs Nokes. Chairman of Romsey 2020, Rod Simpson, said he was shocked by SWT's decision, which he said was backward step which would result in an increased use of cars by commuters. He stated: "Public transport provision should be high on everybody's agenda and in this case it is clear it was not." "This service was a vital public transport provision for Romsey." SWT says with new and improved connections to the rail network at Romsey station commuters in the town now have better links to the company's services elsewhere. HCC has promised to look into whether any of the services due to be axed can be reinstated when bus routes are re-tendered. SWT
slash funding for rail-link buses FUNDING is being withdrawn by South West Trains for the rail-link bus between Romsey and Winchester. The company has blamed poor usage of the route for making the decision. On July 28, five of the seven services backed by South West Trains will disappear from the schedule. Bus operator, Stagecoach, which has run the additional services, will continue to operate two which still make money, the 0740 from Winchester to Romsey and the 0807 from Romsey to Winchester. Meanwhile, the 0615, 0645 and 2145 Romsey to Winchester services and the 2010 and 2110 from Winchester to Romsey will be withdrawn. South West Trains' area manager, Chris Haresign, said: "We have been talking to local authorities and user groups every step of the way to inform them of our plans. "We realise that those who do use it will be disappointed and we are sorry that they will now have to look for alternative ways of getting to the city centre." A working group was set up last December to see how many people were using the service, and if the subsidies should continue. It included members from Hampshire County, Winchester City and Test Valley Borough Councils. Stagecoach and South West Trains were also represented. The remaining daytime hourly X66 services run by Stagecoach will be unaffected by the changes. Protesters
to fight on to save axed bus route South West Trains yesterday confirmed it will stop funding a Romsey-Winchester rail link bus service from July 28, because too few people use it. Since December, SWT has funded seven bus services as part of the X66 route. Stagecoach will continue to run two: the 7.40am Winchester-Romsey and the 8.07am Romsey-Winchester as sufficient passengers use them. Ceasing from July 28 will be the 6.15am, 6.45am and 9.45pm from Romsey and the 8.10pm and 10.10pm from Winchester. SWT says that on average they only carry between one and eight passengers. The daytime X66 service is unaffected. Disappointed Bus campaigner Nadine Taylor said she was "angry and disappointed". She said: "We are losing the last remnants of a bus service that was relied heavily on by the working people of the town and villages along the way. "Do not think this is the end of our campaign as we believe that the people of Romsey need and deserve a bus service that meets their needs." SWT area manager Chris Haresign said: "We realise that those who do use it will be disappointed and we are sorry that they will now have to look for alternative ways of getting to the city centre." A working group was set up last December to evaluate the service, comprising of representatives from SWT, Stagecoach, Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Winchester City Council and councillors representing the communities along the route. SWT said the group accepted SWT's decision that they could no longer subsidise these services bearing in mind the low number of passengers using them. Buses
Not Just For OAP's A CAMPAIGNER fighting to keep the existing X66 services between Romsey and Winchester says the buses are not being marketed properly. Six extra buses were added when South West Trains axed the Romsey to Winchester Rail-Link bus last December. South West Trains agreed to pump cash into the X66 service while transport bosses monitored its use and in July a report is due out on their findings. Nadine Taylor, leader of the Save our Bus Campaign, said they had demanded detailed marketing information from from Hampshire County Council and Stagecoach. "We want know why and how they believe that by marketing to retired people, who want to pop into Winchester once a week shopping, they can increase revenue and passenger usage, when they have axed the daily commuter service," she said. "We offered to set up and run an effective, targeted marketing campaign to promote this service for Hampshire County Council, but they placed conditions on our involvement that would have gagged us from speaking out on behalf of Romsey." She added that with the prospect of 3,500 new houses being built in Romsey, the town needed better public transport. "How long is it going to be before we bring Romsey to a standstill with cars? Not long, when you factor in all those generated by the Abbotswood development. Surely we should be saving what public transport we have and improving it, that must be more cost-effective than cutting it and realising in five years time that we need to reintroduce it all again," she said. Hampshire's cabinet spokesman for the environment, Mel Kendal, said everything possible was being done to make the service a success. "Criticising efforts to encourage people to use the service is unhelpful, as it is our aim to encourage as many people as possible to use it to safeguard its future when SWT makes its decision later this year," said Cllr Kendal. He added: "Patronage is being monitored by the county council, which is working on a promotional campaign with SWT, Stagecoach, Winchester City Council and Test Valley Borough Council to help boost passenger numbers, so that SWT decides to retain the early-morning and evening journeys. "This has entailed a leaflet drop to all households along the route with discounts vouchers, free journey vouchers, press articles and information on Hantsweb." He
added that the service was also being promoted to county and city
council staff. Why
Perry wants more to join him on route 66 A COUNTY councillor is urging people to make more use a Romsey to Winchester bus link to prevent a reduction in services. Romsey Extra's county councillor, Roy Perry, has pledged to use the X66 service himself when on official duties, whenever possible, such as attending the authority's meetings at The Castle in Winchester. Mr Perry who is also chairman of Test Valley's Hampshire Action Team, said funding to provide extra buses at peak times on the X66 service between Romsey and Winchester was only guaranteed until the end of July. advertisementSouth-West Trains pulled the plug on its rail link bus in December after pointing out that only about 60 passengers a day used the service and the company said it was making a loss. Bosses then agreed cash should be pumped into Stagecoach's X66 service while passenger numbers were evaluated; the results are due in the summer. People now fear that the extra buses run by SWT parent company Stagecoach may not continue after July. "The campaign to stop SWT axing these services continues apace. The early-morning and evening journeys are vital to commuters who live in rural areas between Romsey and Winchester and would be desperately missed if they were to come to an end in July," said Mr Perry. "The county council is part of a working group comprising SWT, Stagecoach, Test Valley and Winchester councils, with the common aim of increasing passenger numbers using the service. This is vital to its future, as passenger numbers will determine whether or not SWT reprieves it. "This service is especially helpful to those living in the rural areas between Romsey and Winchester and, without it, I fear that most will drive to Winchester to pick up the train service to London Waterloo. "This adds to traffic levels in an already congested city and will do nothing to improve air quality. I urge everyone who can use the X66 service to do so." Use
buses to help save our rail link SUPPORT is growing to help save a popular rail link bus service between Romsey and Winchester. South West Trains (SWT) bosses axed the service but, following a public outcry, agreed to fund extra journeys on the existing 66 and X66 Stagecoach bus services between Romsey bus station and Winchester railway station. Now the Test Valley Hampshire Action Team is urging people to use the additional morning and evening routes which are due to continue until July when transport chiefs will see if a permanent option would be commercially viable. HAT chairman county councillor Roy Perry is calling on residents to use the replacement services as much as possible and said he would be buying a bus ticket for the journey which stops in Ampfield, Hursley and Woodley, to attend Full Council meetings in Winchester. "The County Council is part of a working group comprising SWT, Stagecoach, and Test Valley and Winchester councils, with the common aim of increasing the number of passengers using the service," he said. "This is vital to its future, as passenger numbers will determine whether or not SWT reprieves it this summer. The service is especially helpful to those living in the rural areas between Romsey and Winchester. Without it I fear that most will drive to Winchester to pick up the train service to Waterloo." Hundreds of residents including commuters and college students signed petitions against the bus cut last December. It was axed after 11 years because it was costing too much to run. Nadine Taylor of campaign group Save Our Bus welcomed the support from Cllr Perry but said the marketing of the extra services was not enough to get people using the service. "At the moment they are advertising shopping trips and days out to Winchester on the service," she said. "This is fine but misses the point of the earlier and later services which was to cater for people who need to get to work or college." "Sadly these buses too are not very reliable and many of us have had no choice but to start using our cars," she added. Hampshire County Council are monitoring passenger numbers on the services which are due to continue until the end of the summer school term in July. Cross
Party backing for bus campaign at No.10 Political differences were put aside when campaigners took their fight to save the Romsey-to-Winchester rail-link bus to 10, Downing Street. Romsey MP, Sandra Gidley, stood on the PM's doorstep last Thursday with her Conservative rival, Caroline Nokes, as Save Our Bus protesters handed in a petition bearing 2,000 signatures calling on Gordon Brown to step in and prevent South West Trains axing the company's dedicated rail-link at the end of next week. Commuters, Mark Gilmour, Alan Bayley and John Wills, together with Hursley parish councillor, Eleanor Bell, were at the Downing Street petition hand-over. Defiant Save Our Bus Campaign co-ordinator, Nadine Taylor, has since asked for a face-to-face meeting with Brian Souter, boss of the Stagecoach Group, which includes SWT. She said Mr Souter had asked Ian Dobbs, the SWT chairman, and Andrew Dyer, MD of Stagecoach South, to investigate the axing of the service and to report back to him. "I am encouraged by this and I have asked for a meeting with Mr Souter and the Department for Transport." The operators said the service was due for the axe because only 60 people used it per week, a figure disputed by campaigners. Nadine said: "SWT has refused to give us the figures for people using the rail-link bus. There hasn't been a ticket machine on the bus all week. SWT say the service is losing £100,000 a year. People within the bus industry whom we've spoken to say they don't understand how it can be losing money when the Stagecoach X66, taking a parallel, route isn't." Nadine said the Romsey-Winchester rail-link bus was "just the sort of initiative the Government will pay an environmental-transport consultant thousands to dream up this time next year". A petition was also handed in at Hampshire County Council's Winchester HQ last week. The county's Romsey Extra division member, Roy Perry, passed it to leader, Ken Thornber. Afterwards, Mr Perry said: "The rail-link bus between Winchester and Romsey is especially helpful to people in the rural area around Romsey. "In the town, they may have the option of taking a train to Southampton but, outside the town, the rail-link to Southampton is no use; it's the bus link along the A3090 that really helps. "Once you have your car out, it is pointless to drive to Romsey or Southampton Airport Parkway, so you will inevitably clog the roads up and increase your carbon footprint by heading directly to Winchester to take the train there. "I urge South West Trains to think again on this one. This rail-link bus really works and deserves to be kept going." Bus
Protestors at No. 10 Protestors took their campaign to save the threatened Romsey to Winchester rail-link bus to Downing Street yesterday (Thursday). Campaigners, several dressed as Father Christmas, boarded their battle bus in Romsey and picked up more protesters along the rail-link bus route to Winchester before heading for Downing Street to deliver their message to the PM. Petitions were handed in at Number 10 and also South West Trains HQ in the capital in a last bid attempt to get the train company's bosses to change their minds about axing the dedicated rail-bus link. The service is due to end on December 8. South West Trains is withdrawing the bus link because it says the service is making a loss and it is under used. The company is putting cash into providing extra buses on Stagecoach's X66 services between Romsey and Winchester while surveys are being carried out on usage. One of the Save our Bus campaign's leaders, Nadine Taylor, said: "We have been approached by lots of bus campaign groups in the area asking us to help them. We should not be in this position in today's current climate when the Government should be encouraging greener alternatives to transport. But, by working together, we are sending a clear message that we won't be railroaded into traffic solutions that are bad for the environment." On Saturday, the protesters took to Winchester's streets and collected more than 300 signatures in two hours. Friends of the Earth has also expressed concerns about the dropping of the bus service. Chris Gillham, from the organisation, said: "What we had here was an excellent example of an integrated transport system that offered a cost-effective and greener alternative to sitting in some of the worst city centre traffic jams in Hampshire." Rail
link protest goes to London A coach load of protestors is heading for London today as part of a fight to save a Hampshire rail link service. Downing Street, the headquarters of South West Trains and the offices of Hampshire County Council will face a wave of protests from angry passengers and bus users fighting to keep the Romsey to Winchester rail link service, which rail bosses are planning to axe at the beginning of December. Campaigners are delivering a petition signed by thousands of residents together with a list of destinations to show transport bosses how much they value the integrated transport system. Since the decision to axe the 11-year old service was announced campaigners have collected signatures and have held protests in Romsey and Winchester to gather support. Campaigner for Save our Bus, Nadine Taylor said: "We are in the middle of a vigorous and dynamic campaign with four weeks to go and everything to play for." Following a public meeting with transport bosses and local politicians South West Trains agreed to fund additional morning and evening bus services on an existing bus timetable until July next year to see if a train commuter service would be viable. The company say not enough rail passengers are using the bus to get on to the mainline train service but protestors have questioned the transport chiefs information gathering. Hampshire County Council says it will independently monitor the extra bus services to see if they would be profitable. Despite forming a working party with transport bosses to help find a way to promote and boost the value of the bus route until next summer, campaigners say they will continue their protests against axing the route, which also serves communities in Ampfield, Hursley and Woodley. One of the protest organisers is fathers 4 Justice front-man Matt O'Connor who said "The campaign is picking up speed and shifting from second gear into fourth and fifth. "We are going to raise the stakes in dramatic fashion combining protests with economic and marketing suggestions to make this service work. Most buses I travel on are like a sardine tin on wheels - the figures quoted by SWT are so ridiculous they must have been produced after a heavy night out when they were celebrating the increased profits they are making by cutting this service!" Matt added that, while a group of designated protestors will hand over the petitions at Downing Street his past stunts for fathers 4 Justice means he will have to stay clear of Number 10. "I'm not allowed in due to my past. But there are plenty of people waiting to deliver the petition," he said. South West Trains say the rail link currently loses the company nearly £100,000 a year and that with more rail journey's planned between Romsey and Southampton central stations commuters will be accommodated. Rail
link service protest gets up head of steam Downing Street, the headquarters of South West Trains and the offices of Hampshire County Council will face a wave of protests this week from bus users fighting to save a rail link service. Angry passengers say they will not give up on their battle to save the Romsey to Winchester rail link which rail bosses are planning to axe at the beginning of December. In the next stage of a high profile campaign, organised by Fathers 4 Justice protestors, campaigners are boarding a coach for the capital with a petition signed by thousands of residents and a list of destinations to show transport chiefs how much they value the integrated transport system. Since the decision to axe the 11 year old service was announced campaigners have collected signatures and held protests in Romsey and Winchester to gather support. Campaigner for Save our Bus, Nadine Taylor said: "We are in the middle of a vigorous campaign with four weeks to go and everything to play for." Following a public meeting with transport bosses and local politicians South West Trains agreed to fund additional morning and evening bus services on an existing bus timetable until July next year to see if a train commuter service would be viable. the company say not enough rail passengers are using the bus to get on to the mainline train service but protestors have questioned the transport chiefs information gathering and Hampshire County Council say they will now independently monitor the extra bus services to see if they would be profitable. "We are not prepared to accept anything other than the reinstatement of all services while the working party we have set up examines what we believe are bogus figures," said Nadine. "South West Trains didn't have a clue about the numbers or the service customers received," she added. Despite forming a working party with transport bosses to help find a way to promote and boost the value of the bus route until next summer, campaigners say they will continue their protests against axing the route, which also serves communities in Ampfield, Hursley and Woodley. Swapping his super hero costume for a Santa suit for the protest journey, fathers 4 Justice front-man Matt O'Connor, said "The campaign is picking up speed and shifting from second gear into fourth and fifth. "I wouldn't want anyone to get hit by the speed of this campaign bus and South West Trains should not under estimate the resolve of everyone involved in this campaign." "We are going to raise the stakes in dramatic fashion combining protests with economic and marketing suggestions to make this service work. Most buses I travel on are like a sardine tin on wheels - the figures quoted by SWT are so ridiculous they must have been produced after a heavy night out when they were celebrating the increased profits they are making by cutting this service," he added. South West Trains say the rail-link currently loses the company nearly 3100,000 a year and that with more rail journey's planned between Romsey and Southampton central stations commuters will be accommodated for. The campaign bus will leave Romsey for Downing Street at 9.00am on Thursday morning. Bus
campaign’s next stop...Downing Street South West Trains is axeing the service in a couple of weeks' time but this hasn't stopped protesters, led by Fathers 4 Justice frontman Matt O'Connor and Nadine Taylor, pulling out all the stops in a bid to keep the rail-link on the road. Next Thursday (November 22) protesters dressed in Father Christmas outfits will board the Santa Express Battle Bus' and head for 10 Downing Street where they will deliver petitions to Gordon Brown. "The theme will be Santa because we are highlighting the timing of the axeing of this service.What better sight than a busload of Santa's arranging in Downing Street?" said Nadine. Their placards will bear the slogan "Bah Humbug! - an early Christmas present from Scrooge West Trains." Protesters plan to take the Save Our Bus' bus from Romsey bus station at 9am along the route of the rail-link bus to Winchester and then onto Downing Street to hand deliver petitions to the heart of government. "We will be joined on the bus by local and national press and TV and we will be met at Downing Street by MPs," said Nadine. She urged supporters of the campaign to make sure completed petitions were handed in by next Tuesday (November 20). Supporters are asked to send them to Nadine at PO Box 277, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8YE or deliver them to Romsey Town Council offices. Last Friday morning the campaign was taken to Winchester rail station where protesters told commuters knew about the planned axeing. The protesters included Romsey's MP Sandra Gidley arrived at Winchester dressed in Father Christmas outfits after travelling on the rail-link bus from Romsey. Bosses at South West Trains have promised to fund additional X66 Stagecoach services between Romsey and Winchester when the current rail-link service ends on December 8. However, funding of the six extra buses will be reviewed next summer. A working party has already been set up between the Save our Bus campaign and Hampshire's transport bosses to establish how many people use bus links to Winchester rail station from the Romsey area. South West Trains say the decision to axe the existing dedicated rail-bus was taken because it's only used by about 60 passengers daily and the service makes a loss. But, Mr O'Connor disagrees with the figures and has vowed to fight on. He said: "The campaign is picking up speed and shifting from second gear into fourth and fifth. South West Trains should not under estimate the resolve of everyone involved in this campaign. "We are going to raise the stakes in dramatic fashion combining protests with economic and marketing suggestions to make the service work. Most buses I travel on are like a sardine tin on wheels. The figure quoted by South West Trains are so ridiculous they must have been produced after a heavy night out when they were celebrating the increased profits they are making by cutting this service." On Saturday (November 17) campaigners will be taking to Winchester city centre in a bid to raise people's awareness about the impending axeing of the rail-bus. The protesters will be at the Buttercross between 10am and midday with placards and petitions.
Dressed in Santa suits and armed with placards, leaflets and a jar of mint humbugs, protestors fighting to save a Hampshire rail link have stepped up their campaign by taking a ride on the threatened bus. Passengers cheered as they climbed aboard the Romsey to Winchester service dressed in seasonal costumes to show their anger at the South West Train's decision to stop the 11 year old service two weeks before Christmas. The protest follows a demonstration in Romsey and packed public meetings in the town and the nearby village of Hursley, where residents are they regularly reply on the Monday to Saturday service. "We are taking the campaign to Winchester to let other people know about how South West Trains have made this decision without consultation, and just before Christmas as well," said campaign organiser matt O'Connor. Transport bosses say the service, which adds an extra half hour service to early morning and late evening commuter routes to and from Winchester rail station, is too expensive to run and loses the company nearly £100,000 a year. But campaigners say the rail company is cutting a vital integrated public service and forcing hundreds of people to use their cars, resulting in more congestion on roads, which will cause a major problem in and around Winchester. Joining campaigners on route, Winchester City Councillor and Hursley Parish Councillor Eleanor bell, said "This is not just bad news for Romsey and Winchester, but for Hursley as well. "This will be bad for the village, bad for local shops, bad for commuters and bad for people working at IBM." Romsey MP, Sandra Gidley, who dressed in full Santa gear and shared the bus journey, said: "It was clear at the recent public meeting that Stagecoach and South West Trains don't have a clue how heavily this service is used by rail travellers and how vital this service is. rather than cutting it, they need to do a proper job of promoting it." Leader of Winchester City Council, George Beckett, also greeted he fancy-dressed passengers as they arrived at Winchester rail station. The campaign has the support of prospective parliamentary candidates in Winchester, Steve Brine, Conservative and Martin Tod, Lib-Dem. "I am concerned about the changes being proposed, especially the possible effect of even more cars coming into Winchester city centre and trying to park in our already over-flowing station car parks," said Mr Brine. "There is clearly demand for a bus link between Romsey and Winchester. All stakeholders, including both councils, Peter Symonds College, IBM in Hursley and the train operating companies must be brought together through the Rail Link Working group to find a long-term solution." Mr Tod said: "This is not just a problem for Romsey and Hursley, it's a problem for Winchester too because it's going to lead to more congestion and more problems with parking. "The campaign has already had an impact and led to some of the service being saved." South West Trains have offered to fund additional half-hourly services in the morning and evening as part of the existing Romsey to Winchester 66 bus service until next July and the firm has agreed to set up a working group with the campaigners and councillors to see if the Stagecoach service could run as an economical bus route. The rail link service is due to end on December 8 and the revised 66 timetable starts on Monday, December 10.
Campaigners fighting to save a rail-link bus service are taking their battle to Downing Street. Protest group Save Our Bus have vowed to fight South West Trains decision to axe their Romsey to Winchester rail-link bus service next month, and are planning a mass bus trip to London next week to highlight their campaign. It follows a series of protest events including a ride on the threatened bus service where passengers donned Santa outfits and Scrooge gear to show their anger at suddenly ending the 11 year service 2 weeks before Christmas. Organisers say the campaign has now gathered thousands of signatures in the petition in support of saving the bus route and will present the petition to the Government on November 22. "We are looking at a huge amount of support and the possibility of filling up a double decker bus" said campaign leader Matt O'Connor. "We want to repsent the signatures to Downing Street and get MP's on our side to raise a question about it in the House of Commons," he added. As well as thousands of residents, the campaign has been given cross party support by Lib Dem Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, councillors from both Romsey and Winchester, and prospective parliamentary candidates in both areas. South West Trains says it is axing the Monday to Saturday route, which stops at Ampfield, Hursley and Woodley, because not enough rail passengers use it to connect to trains at Winchester Rail Station and it is losing the company almost £100,000 a year. But campaigners say they need the service which has become a lifeline between the communities. The service is due to end on December 8 and the revised 66 timetable starts on Monday, December 10. Campaigners
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claim protestors Dressed in Santa suits and armed with placards, leaflets and a jar of mint humbugs, protestors fighting to save a Hampshire bus link have stepped up their campaign by boarding the threatened service. Passengers cheered each other as they climbed aboard the threatened Romsey to Winchester bus link to show their anger at the South West Train's decision to stop the 11 year old service two weeks before Christmas. The protest follows a demonstration in Romsey and a packed public meeting in the town and nearby village Hursley where residents say they regularly rely on the Monday to Saturday service. "We are taking the campaign to Winchester to let other people know about how South West Trains has made this decision without any consultation," said campaign organiser Matt O'Connor. Transport bosses say the service, which adds an extra half-hour service with early morning and late evening commuter routes to Winchester rail station, is too expensive to run and loses the company nearly 3100,000 a year. Campaigners say the rail company is cutting a vital integrated public service and forcing hundreds of people to use their cars, resulting in more congestion. Joining the campaigners on route, Winchester and Hursley parish councillor Eleanor Bell said: "This will be bad for the village, bad for local shops, bad for commuters and bad for the people working at IBM." Romsey MP Sandra Gidley boarded the bus dressed in full Santa gear. "It was clear at the recent public meeting that Stagecoach and SWT don't have a clue how heavily this service is used by rail travellors and how vital this service is. "Rather than cutting it, they need to do a proper job of promoting it," she said. The campaign also gained cross-party support from prospective parliamentary candidates - Conservative Steve brine and Lib Dem Martin Tod. "I am concerned about the changes being proposed, especially the possible effect of even more cars coming into Winchester city centre," said Mr Brine. Mr Tod added: "We need urgent action to reduce Winchester's impact on the environment, but these cuts will damage the environment and make congestion and parking even worse." Winchester City Council leader George Becket said: "This protest points out how valuable this public service is and it is an important one for passengers in and out of Winchester," he said. At a public meeting attended by rail and bus company executives, more than a hundred residents heard SWT offer to fund additional half-hourly services in the morning and evening as part of the existing Romsey to Winchester 66 bus service until next July. the rail link service is due to end on December 8th and the revised 66 timetable starts on Monday 10th December. In
my view - Rail campaign support is on right track by Caroline
Nokes It was probably inevitable that any campaign organised by Fathers 4 Justice front man matt O'Connor would be high profile, but his Save Our Bus campaign about the Romsey to Winchester rail link has also proved to be highly effective. Last week's public meeting, on a dark night in November, was packed. As more and more people arrived the tiny chairs for the playgroup had to be put out, and even then large number has to stand for the duration of the meeting. Although spirits ran high at times, and representatives from South West Trains and Stagecoach drew significant criticism, the outcome was one of co-operation not confrontation, which is why I am optimistic tat the working party that was agreed will move this issue forward. The concession from SWT to continue to run some of the peak hour rail link buses until next July was an important one, but the message was quite clear: "Use it or lose it." However listening to the commuters, the college students and the various councillors present there is a determination to find permanent and sustainable solutions. Winchester has recently been condemned for having the highest carbon footprint per person of any city - to add to that by forcing rail users out of the bus and into their cars would be a nonsense. the rail link bus is a real example of integrated transport, one that is convenient and easy for the user, but one that has definitely been under promoted. What really struck me was how well soem of the Peter Symonds College users knew the timetable, which buses were standing room only, and which were virtually empty. The passenger surveys, which are to be carried out by Hampshire county Council, will provide the evidence needed to support the anecdotal views on usage, but the input from the students to the working group will also be invaluable. I am sure the campaign will continue to be eye catching, but that the work of the group to solve this problem will be as serious as it is striking. Bus-rail
link campaigners stepping up their protest Campaigners continuing their protest against a Hampshire rail link service being axed are moving their fight to Winchester. The South West Trains service between Romsey and Winchester is being withdrawn by rail bosses, who say that it is too expensive to run. Following a public meeting where more than 100 people turned out to question transport chiefs over the plans, campaigners now say they are keen to give service users in Winchester the chance to hear about the changes. Nadine Taylor, from the Save Our Bus group, said: "We were approached at the meeting by several members of the public who asked us to bring the campaign to Winchester, so we will continue with our plans for the protest today. "We will be taking the rail link bus from Romsey bus station to Winchester railway station, dressed in a Father Christmas theme, to raise awareness of the campaign there and get people to sign petitions and lend their support. "This is a very important part of the campaign because it is Winchester that would bear the brunt of the increased number of cars coming into the city, parking issues and pollution and as a city this is something Winchester can not afford to have in light of the recent environmental reports." At the Romsey public meeting, South West Trains announced that it would continue to fund additional bus services in the morning and evening until July next year to see if enough people want a rail link service and if it would be commercially viable. This is expected to run as extra half hourly services as part of the Stagecoach X66 bus timetable from December 12. Angry residents and passengers are calling on transport chiefs to keep the rail link service, which comes to an end on December 8, and which adds an extra hourly bus to and from Winchester. However, South West Trains say that it was losing almost £100,000 a year with the route, and that not enough passengers were using the bus as a connection to the railway. Following the talks with local and county councillors, transport bosses and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, campaigners have agreed to set up a working group to monitor the extra bus routes and look at ways of increasing passenger numbers to make it sustainable. Today's protest was die to start at Romsey bus station at 7.35am, with protestors boarding the bus link and travelling to Winchester to meet commuters. Rail-bus
protestors to lobby commuters Protestors will demonstrating outside Winchester station on Friday (Nov 9) against the axing of the city's South West Train's rail-link bus service to Romsey. Nadine Taylor from the Save Our Bus Campaign described what's planned. "We will be taking the rail-link bus from Romsey bus station to Winchester rail station dressed up in a Father Christmas theme to raise awareness of the campaign there and get people to sign petitions and lend their support. "This is a very important part of the campaign because it is Winchester that would bear the brunt of the increased number of cars coming into the city, parking issues and pollution and as a city this is something Winchester cannot afford to have in light of the recent environment reports," said Nadine, who is heading the protest with Fathers 4 Justice front-man Matt O'Connor. South West Trains has announced the rail-link bus will be taken off the road next month because the 11 year-old service is losing money and passengers numbers are low. But there is some good news for the protestors - the company has promised to pump cash into providing extra buses to plug gaps in Stagecoach's X66 services between Romsey and Winchester until next summer. South West Trains confirmed at a public meeting held in Romsey last Thursday night (November 1) that the rail-link bus will be taken off the road next month. Jane Lee a spokesperson for South West Trains said: "We've got together with Stagecoach South to try and fill the gaps in services. We will continue to fund these services until July which will enable people to get the train from Winchester to London." It was also pointed out South West Trains new Salisbury to Southampton central service via Chandler's Ford launching on December 9 will make it easier for rail commuters to get to Eastleigh to catch London-bound connections. At the packed meeting organised by Mr O'Connor, it was agreed to set up a working party between the Save Our Bus Campaign group and Hampshire's transport chiefs. County officials will conduct surveys in a bid to ascertain patronage of the bus service. Miss Taylor added: "This is a small victory for us but we know that there is still a lot of work to be done and we are committed to the long-term project. I will be approaching all parties over the next week with a view to getting everyone around the table before Christmas to start work on this project. "My concern is that six months will go very quickly so I intend to harness the wave of support and goodwill shown by everyone at the meeting and bring all parties together as soon as possible. The aim is to start addressing these key issues and I would urge the public to do their bit by using the service to show their support to Romsey and Winchester." Claiming authorities had tried to keep people in the dark about the planned axing of the rail-link bus, Miss Taylor said: "It was clear that all parties had deliberately kept this information from the public as long as possible so that it was presented to bus and rail travellers as a fait accompli." Working
group to monitor bus link service Campaigners fighting to save the Romsey to Winchester bus link are to form a working group with transport bosses to monitor a temporary replacement service. Protestors met with bosses from South West Trains at a packed public meeting in Romsey last week and heard how the rail company will subsidise extra services on the existing Stagecoach X66 bus route which exists between the two destinations. The company told more than 100 people who filled the hall of the Abbey United Reformed Church that they will subsidise additional bus services in the morning and evening until next July, while Hampshire County Council carries out an independent survey on how many passengers use the service. Campaign leader Matt O'Connor said he welcomed the news and reassured the audience made up of passengers, commuters, students and local councillors, that the working group "will happen" and warned transport chiefs that local residents "will defend their public transport". Residents addressed a panel of South West Trains and Stagecoach bus representatives as well as councillors from Hampshire and the test valley, and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley. Concerns raised over the axing of the service included a lack of regular buses, more congestion on the roads, and a loss of bus services for sixth form students living in Romsey that travel to Winchester. The new timetable is due to come into effect from Monday December 10. Campaigners fighting to save the Romsey to Winchester bus link are to for a working group with transport bosses to monitor a temporary service. Protestors met with bosses from South West Trains at a packed public meeting in Romsey last night and heard how the rail company will subsidise extra services on the existing Stagecoach X66 bus route which exists between the two destinations. the company told more than 100 people who filled the hall of the Abbey United reformed Church that they will subsidise additional bus services in the morning and evening until next July while Hampshire County Council carry out an independent survey on how passengers use the service. Campaign leader Matt O'Connor said he welcomed the news and reassured the audience made up of passengers, commuters, students and local councillors that the working group "will happen" and warned transport chiefs that local residents "will defend their public transport." Residents addressed a panel of South West Trains and stagecoach representatives as well as councillors from Hampshire and the test valley and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley. Concerns raised over the axing of the service included a lack of regular buses, more congestion on the roads and a loss of bus services for sixth form students living in Romsey that travel to Winchester. The new timetable is due to come into effect from Monday, December 10. Rail
bus cash to be diverted Money saved by axing a popular rail link bus between Romsey and Winchester will be used to set up another link service in Hampshire. From December 12, the Monday to Saturday service, which calls at Ampfield, Hursley and Woodley, will be scrapped, and replaced by a new service for commuters in the Portsmouth area. South West Trains has said it made the decision because the 11 year service between Romsey and Winchester railway station is not being used enough by train passengers. Jane Lee, from South West Trains, said the rail link, which costs £240,000 a year to run, made a loss of nearly £100,000 for a period between 2006 and 2007, and had an average of rail passengers a day. "The rail link was established in 1996 to coax people into using the rail service and get them on the trains," she said. "But it is not being used by rail passengers, it is being used by people who already have a bus service. "It has been decided that funds could be better used elsewhere in Hampshire with a rail link from Waterlooville and Petersfield." Campaigners fighting to save the rail-link, which adds an extra half-hourly service from Romsey to Winchester, say they are desperate to keep it. The protest group "Save Our Bus" is led by Matt O'Connor of Fathers 4 Justice fame. He said: "There are desperate pensioners, midwives, students and commuters who all need this communication life-line," He added that many more than 60 people depend on the service because the alternative Stagecoach South bus services were not frequent enough. More than 1000 residents have now signed up to the protest to keep the bus link. Campaign
to save bus link goes into top gear Nearly 1000 people have signed a petition calling on South West Train bosses not to axe the Romsey to Winchester rail-link bus, claim campaigners. Fathers 4 Justice front man, Matt O'Connor, is behind the "Mutiny on the Buses" campaign to keep the service on the road. He organised a petition-signing morning in Romsey's Market Place on Saturday, when 200 people added their names to the campaign. The bus mutineers were joined by the town's mayor, Cllr Mark Cooper and borough councillor and Tory candidate, Cllr Caroline Nokes. Matt said he planned to put more pressure on SWT to reverse their decision to end the service in December. "We will up the ante with protests that are designed to surprise and inspire, until we win a sensible period of time from South West Trains, so we can be consulted and also put together counter proposals to them," said Matt, who revealed a major demonstration will be staged on a Winchester Station-bound bus on Friday, November 9. Matt said a bus-load of "humbug-carrying Father Christmas" would be on board in a "Scrooge" protest against the axing of the service. Further "lightening protests" are also planned and a public meeting has been scheduled at Romsey's Abbey United Reformed Hall at 8.30pm next Thursday (1 November). Romsey's MP, Sandra Gidley, and Cllr Nokes will be at the meeting along with representatives from SWT, Hampshire County Council and the borough council. SWT say only about 60 people a day use the rail-bus link and it is not viable to keep it running. It claims that, from December 9, a new improved rail timetable will make it easier for passengers to reach Winchester rail station via Romsey and Southampton rail stations and at times there will be up to four trains an hour. However, Matt discounts the rail firms claims. "Somebody from the county council had better step in quick to explain how this joined up, integrated transport policy is supposed to work, given all the cutbacks. "It isn't just commuters, being affected, but the elderly and the vulnerable and we are looking to expand our campaign to embrace other service-users affected in other parts of the county. If they want to join us, they should contact us immediately," he added. Cllr Nokes, who helped collect names for the petition said: "for those who use the service, it has provided a real 'integrated travel' solution and to lose it would be a blow to the objective to get more people out of their cars and onto public transport. "For my part, I remain committed to working to find a way to continue with this useful service and will be working with all agencies to secure that." Letter
from Westminster I had intended to have a quiet day in the constituency last Friday, but the postal strike meant that there were a lot of last-minute invitations. The day started with a meeting to discuss a campaign to save the rail link bus between Romsey and Winchester. Nadine Taylor and her partner, Matt O'Connor, have done some sterling work, so watch out for some eye catching initiatives. More than 1000 people have signed up to help save the Romsey bus link service to Winchester Railway station. Protestors have been collecting signatures against the axing of the service to present to South West Trains bosses who plan to end the bus link in December. Posters and leaflets have flooded the town in the first week of the campaign and organisers are also collecting scores of names giving their support on the Save Our Bus website. Leading campaigner Matt O'Connor, who founded the high profile Fathers 4 Justice campaign, said more than 200 people signed up to save the Monday to Saturday bus route on the first day of campaigning in Romsey and that waving placards and handing out leaflets was just the beginning. "We will up the ante with protests that are designed to surprise and inspire, until we win a sensible period of time from South West Trains so we can be consulted and also put counter proposals to them." So far more than 1000 people have now joined the protest including local councillors who say people need the regular service. As part of the campaign's next step a group of passengers are planning to board the rail link service at Romsey bus station on November 9 dressed as Father Christmas. They will then travel to Winchester train station to inform commuters of the proposals to axe the service. Concerns have been raised on the affect the axing of the service will have in rural communities in Ampfield, Hursley and Woodley who regularly use the bus route to travel to both Romsey and Winchester. Campaigners have also criticised transport bosses for putting more traffic on the roads and adding to congestion in Winchester city centre which was recently voted the worst polluter by environmental charity WWF. A public meeting on November 1, that was planned for Romsey Town hall, will be held at the nearby Abbey United Reformed Church from 8.00pm. Scores of campaigners and residents are expected to attend alongside councillors and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley to question South West Trains chiefs over the decision to axe the service. A spokesman for the train company said that the bus service is being axed due to low passenger numbers and that residents will be able to use existing bus services to travel between the two locations. He is the man behind some of the highest profile demonstrations of the past few years. As the founder of dads' rights movement Fathers 4 Justice, Matt O'Connor was involved in organising protests which saw activists dressed as superheroes scaling a variety of public buildings. Pictures of the best known, when fellow campaigner Jason hatch climbed on to Buckingham Palace, were seen around the world. Now Mr O'Connor has launched a new, lower profile, campaign - trying to save a bus route that links a Hampshire market town to the major rail route to London. He was joined by protestors who waved placards, handed out leaflets and gathered signatures for a petition as they launched their fight against plans to axe the service between Romsey and Winchester station. The rail operator has told passengers that the Monday to Saturday service, which calls at Ampfield, Woodley and Hursley, will end in December, leaving dozens of commuters and school pupils stranded. Residents along the route say it will not only disrupt their daily journeys, but will force more people on to the roads, causing further congestion in and around both Romsey and Winchester. Concerns were also raised about the number of sixth form students who rely on public transport for connections to Peter Symonds in Winchester and Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh. Mr O'Connor said everyone who heard the service was being axed was upset by the news. "Together with post offices being axed people in the area just want to know they can have a reliable service but if this goes ahead they won't even be able to get on a bus to travel to another post office," he said. "The commuter links to Romsey and Winchester to London are vital and South West Trains are turning the town from a backyard to a graveyard." Caroline Nokes, Test Valley Councillor for Romsey Extra, joined protestors and collected signatures from angry local residents. She said: "This is bad news for Romsey. The people in this area need an integrated public transport system that they can rely on and by pulling this service they are just being forced into their cars and adding to congestion which is already a problem." Cllr Nokes also said large businesses such as IBM have many employees who relied on the regular service. "People need a reliable service and this is one that is busy," she added. County Councillor Mark Cooper said he was concerned that the end of the 11 year-old service would create a downward spiral that would end up taking more and more people away from even more public transport. "This is a service that is regular and that people can rely on. It makes no sense to end it." A South West Trains spokesman said that about 60 passengers use the service daily and that it was not financially viable to continue it. He added that there were other bus links between Romsey and Winchester. A public meeting is planned for Thursday 1st November, at the Abbey united reformed Church Hall, in Romsey, where Romsey MP Sandra Gidley and local councillors will quiz South West Trains about the axing of the service, from 8.00pm.
Campaigners in Romsey are preparing to fight South West Trains' plans to axe a rail-bus link between Winchester and the town. Residents and businesses in Romsey say that the 11 year-old service between Romsey bus station and Winchester railway station is vital for commuters and school pupils along the route which includes stops at Woodley, Ampfield and Hursley. South West Trains is planning to get rid of the Monday to Saturday service in December due to falling passenger numbers. Protester Matt O'Connor, known for his fathers 4 Justice campaigns, said that the fight to keep the service was getting lots of support from passengers and drivers. He said: "I have already started recruiting campaigners to join our Mutiny on the Buses protests which will see us take dramatic action, even arrests, to stop a decision that could have a grave impact on Romsey. "We are meeting with local politicians to see how they stand and we will be handing out leaflets in Romsey and Winchester to let people know about it. "What a great Christmas present for bus users to have their service axed." Romsey MP Sandra Gidley said that it was dreadful news and that she would be seeking a meeting with South West Trains. "This bus link is critical to the people of Romsey who work or go to school in Winchester," she said. "Romsey is already poorly served by rail and bus links. This is going to force more people on to the roads or on to other busy bus routes, which are less convenient because of their longer journey time. The move will also put a greater strain on to the already stretched parking facilities at Winchester station." The Lid Dem MP criticised train bosses for consistently letting down local people following this year's hike in off-peak rail fares and said that they seem "hell bent on axing services". A South West Trains spokesman said that about 60 passengers use the service daily and that it was not financially viable to continue it. He added that there were other bus links between Romsey and Winchester. Campaigners are planning to start their protests in Romsey tomorrow by handing out leaflets between 10an and noon in the town centre.
A campaign has been launched to save South West Trains' Romsey-Winchester rail-bus link from the axe. South West Trains say the 11 year-old service between Romsey bus station and Winchester railway station will be given the chop in December because of falling passenger numbers but users of the bus are fighting back. An angry matt O'Connor is organising protests at South West Trains decision and he says he will do whatever it takes to save the Monday to Saturday service which stops at Woodley, Ampfield and Hursley. "As a dedicated campaigner, I have already started recruiting campaigners to join our "Mutiny on the Buses" protests which will see us take dramatic action, even arrests, to stop a decision that could have a grave impact on Romsey," said Matt, who is behind the Fathers' for Justice Campaign. Matt added that he first found out about the planned axing of the rail-bus link from a driver. "All users of the service are naturally up-in-arms, not least because of the timing and secretive nature of the decision. At a time when we are supposed to be greener and the use of public transport, South West Trains will effectively severe a major artery running between Romsey and Winchester and in turn London where many people commute to. This will cut off the lifeblood from Romsey as a commercial centre and isolate it further as a commuting base. The alternatives are frankly pathetic. Let's be honest, it's cost-cutting, not about improving services," said the irate commuter. Romsey's MP Sandra Gidley has promised to take up the issue with SWT and in the House of Commons. Mrs Gidley said: "I am very concerned about this. It will mean more cars on the road and people will be struggling for car parking spaces. I am not sure whether this is allowed within SWT's franchise and I will be taking it up with ministers. This is showing all signs of the train operator taking the money and running. SWT ought to have done something to promote the service, I hope SWT will give it a stay of execution." An SWT spokesman said the company took the decision to axe the bus because of a decline in use. He said about 60 passengers use the service daily and it was not financially viable to continue it. And he also pointed out there were other bus links between Romsey and Winchester that people can use instead. Romsey 2020 Chairman Rod Simpson said the group, which has been campaigning for improvements to the public transport network in and around the town, was appalled at the decision. "Cutting this service is really bad news for Romsey. If Romsey is to survive as a vibrant market town, it is essential that it has good commuting services to the major adjacent cities. Removal of the rail-link to Winchester without the instigation of other truly comparable services has to be something about which we should all voice our opinions," said Mr Simpson. Hampshire's Romsey division member Mark Cooper said he was "shocked" to hear the service was being cut without consultation. He said he would be investigating the issue. |
