Forum urged to protest cuts to bus route

A reduced bus service has been branded ‘disgraceful’ with councillors being urged to protest.

The number 37 bus which links Spalding and Peterborough is moving to every other hour from October 30.

Operator Stagecoach East has cut 18 services recently, and while the Spalding service will continue, it won’t run as regularly.

As previously reported, passengers face longer waits, for example the only bus into Spalding before 9am will arrive at 6.58am.

Coun Christine Lawton last week urged the Spalding Town Forum to protest and write a letter of complaint to Stagecoach East.

“We’re spending a six figure sum on regenerating Spalding’s bus station and the first thing that happens is Stagecoach comes along and says it’s cutting the only decent service to our only city within spitting distance from an hourly service to a two-hourly service.

“We think it’s a lifeline for residents, especially elderly people who like a trip into Peterborough and God knows Peterborough needs all the help it can get with the demise of John Lewis there.

“With Christmas coming up people do like to go there and do a bit of shopping.

“The people in Crowland will really miss that service.

“The quickest way to drive down bus usage is to cut the service in half.

“They already use double decker buses when if they had single buses it would make a difference.

“I think just as a protest we should make our voice heard and say ‘this is dreadful’.

“We’re encouraged by government to use cars less so they cut the bus service. It will just make people use cars more unfortunately.

“It may be a pointless protest but it must be done.”

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones responded: “For all the good it will do with these bus companies.

“They base it on hard facts and the starting point will be to look at the numbers that we’re dealing with and how we obtain those figures. Lincolnshire County Council should be able to help us there.”

Previously, Stagecoach East had said: “Following our network review, which we were required to do as part of the Government’s post-pandemic recovery funding arrangements, the 37 service will be moving to a two-hourly frequency from Monday to Saturday and will continue to operate on Sundays (with four journeys in each direction).

“We care about our customers and sympathise with those people who will be impacted by the changes ahead.

“Unfortunately, running a traditional fixed route bus service is no longer a financially viable solution for some rural areas.

“But there is a need for a long term, sustainable solution for these rural communities.

“Stagecoach alone cannot deliver solutions to the challenges involved or save the bus routes at risk.

“That is why we are calling for a rural connectivity summit, to bring together all the key stakeholders, including local authorities and bus operators, to have an open and honest debate about the financial realities and what innovative solutions may be possible for the longer-term future of rural bus services.”