Amendments to bus schedule approved

04 May 2007

Following public consultation, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, Deputy Guy de Faye , has agreed two bus schedule amendments to make more efficient use of the bus service. In April, the Minister asked the public to send him their comments on the following changes:

1. The permanent withdrawal from the summer schedules of Service 8B (the Living Legend – Durrell – Gorey Pier – Jersey Potteries) commencing on Sunday 27 May; and

2. Stopping the ‘K’ autumn shoulder services, which run for a 4 week period after the end of the summer schedules, normally covering October.

The Transport and Technical Services Department proposed these changes after discussions with the bus operator, Connex, because they believe the routes are adequately covered by the Island Explorer Service which was introduced on 6 April 2007 and will run until 3 November 2007. Only one objection from the public was received by the deadline on 30 April 2007.

Connex will be advertising both these and other minor service amendments in Saturday’s Jersey Evening Post so all customers are aware of the changes in the summer schedule. Timetables will go on sale on 19 May 2007, but the Minister has also agreed to circulate a copy free to all households in June.

Deputy Guy de Faye said ‘I really want all residents to be aware of the enhanced service now available, with the main scheduled network integrated with the new Explorer routes. Taxpayers subsidise the public bus services and it’s only right that they can see what they are getting for their money by giving all of them a copy of the summer timetable. I’m sorry we can’t distribute the booklets any earlier as we are saving money by sharing the mailing with the Jersey Consumer Council, but this initiative just might encourage more local people to leave the car at home in order to sample some of the benefits of bus travel.’