MELKSHAM has an opportunity to “update” its bus services to “better fit” the next decade.
That’s the opinion of local transport group, Melksham Rail User Group, who have welcomed the news of the government’s “most ambitious shake-up of the bus sector in a generation”, announced this week.
The government’s £3billion “bus revolution” promises passengers across England that they will benefit from “more frequent, more reliable, easier to use and understand, better coordinated and cheaper bus services.”
And Melksham Rail User Group says that this could be an opportunity to better connect the town’s bus service with its train service, giving passengers the option of using public transport for their entire journey.
Vice chair of the group, Graham Ellis, said, “Here in Melksham, we already have proposals in place for better bus services and a track record on public transport for the community – effective train service improvements that have taken passenger numbers up from 3,000 to 75,000 per annum.
“And less than a year ago we helped redefine the Bath – Melksham – Devizes bus service such that it works for operators, council and most importantly for current and new users.
“The government has now opened the door for us to take the next step and update our bus services to better fit the next decade.
“They offer a framework for a scheme based on the work we did last year, which would see bus services updated to serve new housing, the town centre, Bowerhill Industrial Area and the train station, connecting there with trains to provide ‘total journeys’; and helping as we move towards cleaner air and a zero carbon future – reduction in the use of ‘mum’s taxi’ and the need to buy second cars, better mobility for the teens and those who cannot drive for age or medical reasons, or financially.
“The Melksham Rail User Group meeting this Wednesday 17th March (Zoom, 19:30, access code via www.mrug.org.uk) will give us an opportunity to take this forward.
“If you are reading this after the event, or cannot make the meeting, you are not too late. The government says “councils and operators will work in partnership for the benefit of passengers.”
“Here in Wiltshire, we have a track record of community involvement too – helping ensure that what is provided works for us all.
“We need an ongoing team – please sign up to the Facebook groups @option 247 or @MelkshamRUG, look at http://options247.uk and www.mrug.org.uk.”
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