A cross-party council debate was held at York Council offices yesterday (18th May 2016) to discuss the Council's proposals to cut bus subsidies across the city by £350,000. The debate, which was open to the public, was attended by representatives from the York Bus Forum working group.
York Bus Forum and UnJam York oppose the cuts which we believe will lead to an increase in traffic around the city due to the lack of appropriate services. YBF representative John spoke at the meeting and raised the following five points based on canvassing of views from the general public:
1. The proposed bus cuts are IDEOLOGICAL and UNNECESSARY. They are based upon a centrally-dictated austerity policy that is opposed by the majority of York’s citizens, including many who voted Tory last year. Even those who argue for them agree that the cuts will save just £2 per person per year, which is chickenfeed. York’s citizens would gladly pay this in order to retain a good bus system. Indeed, many would gladly pay more for an improved bus system, and I urge the City of York Council (CYC) to move towards this option.
2. The cuts are likely to have a Beeching effect, pushing bus services onto a downward decline. CYC should reject this option.
3. The cuts are SHORT-SIGHTED and ACCOUNTANCY-LED. Any apparent savings will be more than off-set by extra costs elsewhere - in health, education, social care, and private household budgets.
4. The cuts are VICIOUS and DISCRIMINATORY - they inflict damage overwhelmingly on the needy in society, and those who do not have good transport alternatives.
5. The so-called "Consultation" carried out by CYC was RUSHED, DEFECTIVE and UNFIT FOR PURPOSE. It contained neither sound rationale nor adequate data. Asking people to comment was disrespectful of York’s citizens, and a mockery of democracy.
Beyond the short-term urgency of these cuts, York Bus Forum is also developing long-term policy proposals to enhance and improve local transport, focussing especially upon the needy in society. These proposals will address long-term strategic issues such as talking buses, a central bus station (or hubs with interlinking shuttle services), speedy orbital routes on the ring-road, shared dial-a-ride bus-taxis, and smart systems using accessible digital and blended technologies. We are also developing strategic partnerships with other York citizen groups. York Bus Forum calls on the Council to cancel the cuts and work with us and other citizen groups to develop a forward-looking continually improving public transport system.
For further information on York Bus Forum's upcoming events follow UnJam York on Twitter and Facebook
1. The proposed bus cuts are IDEOLOGICAL and UNNECESSARY. They are based upon a centrally-dictated austerity policy that is opposed by the majority of York’s citizens, including many who voted Tory last year. Even those who argue for them agree that the cuts will save just £2 per person per year, which is chickenfeed. York’s citizens would gladly pay this in order to retain a good bus system. Indeed, many would gladly pay more for an improved bus system, and I urge the City of York Council (CYC) to move towards this option.
2. The cuts are likely to have a Beeching effect, pushing bus services onto a downward decline. CYC should reject this option.
3. The cuts are SHORT-SIGHTED and ACCOUNTANCY-LED. Any apparent savings will be more than off-set by extra costs elsewhere - in health, education, social care, and private household budgets.
4. The cuts are VICIOUS and DISCRIMINATORY - they inflict damage overwhelmingly on the needy in society, and those who do not have good transport alternatives.
5. The so-called "Consultation" carried out by CYC was RUSHED, DEFECTIVE and UNFIT FOR PURPOSE. It contained neither sound rationale nor adequate data. Asking people to comment was disrespectful of York’s citizens, and a mockery of democracy.
Beyond the short-term urgency of these cuts, York Bus Forum is also developing long-term policy proposals to enhance and improve local transport, focussing especially upon the needy in society. These proposals will address long-term strategic issues such as talking buses, a central bus station (or hubs with interlinking shuttle services), speedy orbital routes on the ring-road, shared dial-a-ride bus-taxis, and smart systems using accessible digital and blended technologies. We are also developing strategic partnerships with other York citizen groups. York Bus Forum calls on the Council to cancel the cuts and work with us and other citizen groups to develop a forward-looking continually improving public transport system.
For further information on York Bus Forum's upcoming events follow UnJam York on Twitter and Facebook