IT IS hard to believe that Stagecoach is serious in its intentions to terminate the bus route between the towns of Lydney and Chepstow on economic grounds. 'Take the rough with the smooth' should be the yardstick in this instance since a look at their turnover for the year ending April 09 reveals the following: - Bus operating revenue for the UK business was up 11.7 percent to £830.8m and the bus operation profit was up 8.9 percent at £125.6m.
The provision of a bus service by its very nature is a necessary and vital facility to serve the local community and provided a fair and reasonable profit is achieved by the company, and the above figures appear to confirm this, then certain route losses have to be accepted and absorbed as part of the overall business operation.
Incidentally when was the last time anyone saw a new bus on the 73 route or even a clean one, particuarly on the outside?
Compare Stagecoach buses with those of the current bus operator at Lydney Bus Station and all will become strikingly evident. To be honest the 73 operation is adequate but lots of improvements could be effected.
So come on Stagecoach, bite the bullet and accept the situation for what it should be - 'people before necessary profit' and retain the No. 73. – R. N. James, Lynwood Road, Lydney.