The Royal Borough is to give Maidenhead bus passengers the opportunity to have their say on recent changes to the new bus routes launched in the town at the beginning of last month by Courtney Coaches.
Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough transport officers – together with bus operator Courtney Coaches – will hold a passengers’ surgery on Monday March 16 in the mobile library located in the layby adjacent to St Mary’s School, Cookham Road, Maidenhead, for bus users affected by changes to route 6.
Following the launch of the new routes at the beginning of last month, passengers in the Cookham Road/Gardner Road area of the town have spoken out against changes which have meant that their part of the town is no longer served by bus route 6.
Windsor and Maidenhead Transport officers have been working closely with bus operators in recent weeks to review those concerns and reach a satisfactory conclusion – and will now offer bus users the chance to give their opinions on the way forward.
The decision to review the bus network was taken by Courtney Coaches and the Royal Borough following a thorough review of demand, levels and patterns of use, and included consultation – with Royal Borough transport officers working in partnership with Courtney Coaches to finalise details of the routes and timetables in the run up to the launch.
According to passenger surveys only 173 people used bus route 6 over three months to get on or off at the bus stops affected in the Cookham Road area – although the residents say the use is higher.
A key element of the changes was to improve access to and from St Mark’s Hospital and several routes – including route 6 – had to be altered to include the additional stops at the hospital.
While the primary focus has been on the changes in the Cookham Road area, a number of changes to other routes were introduced at the same time and views are welcome from all residents on any aspect of the route changes.
Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead Highways and Streetcare, said this week: “It is very sad that some of our bus users feel disadvantaged by the changes to some of the routes, and in particular those who use bus route 6. These changes were made taking into account the low patronage on some of the routes as advised to us by the operator.
“So that we can take this forward and find a solution we are now offering people the opportunity to come and meet with borough transport officers and representatives from Courtney Coaches to tell us when they want to travel, where they want to get to and what times of the day they want to use the service – so we can establish patterns of travel.
“We hope as many people as possible will take this opportunity to meet with us and give us their views. This administration spends more than £400,000 a year on subsidising bus services in the Royal Borough.
“I have had many emails and letters both from those who have welcomed some of the changes and of course those who have not – and my heart goes out to those who do not. We are working closely with Courtney Coaches to find a solution to the concerns of all our residents. The council does not run the bus services, just subsidises them.
“There are various options available and residents will be asked what best suits their travel needs.
“With regard to details of routes and timetables, the bad weather in January and February meant that some of the information that should have gone out to bus users was delayed – and we would like to apologise to bus users for this.”
The Windsor and Maidenhead bus passengers’ surgery will be held on Monday 16 March from 11am to 6pm in the mobile library located in the layby adjacent to St Mary’s School, Cookham Road.
To enable as many bus passengers as possible to attend there will be a car available to take passengers to the bus surgery. Please call 01628 796666 in advance to book a car to pick you up.
The surgery will be publicised at bus stops, on buses and on the borough website.
For further information contact Ben Smith, group manager, highway services, on 01628 796147.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
