Stratton Parish Council has been informed by Dorset County Council (DCC) that Damory, who is the current operator of the 212 bus service and which forms part of the subsidised public transport network, does not see it as a commercially viable service, so has submitted a notice to DCC for its withdrawal.
Over the last 18 months the Council (DCC) has faced considerable financial pressure to its school and public transport budget with a £2.35m reduction since 2015/16.
As a way to maximise the remaining budget and increase the options for operators to link school and public movements, the new contract for secondary/middle schools is on a One School One Operator basis with a view that the school movement will also carry fare paying passengers and operators can build services around a core school service.
With other local parishes affected by this announcement, Stratton Parish Council will be considering the best way to influence any future replacement bus service, as outlined above, or any alternative transport options to ensure the needs of current users of the service are taken into account.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DO THIS
Stratton Parish Council needs information from users of the current 212 bus service, especially and particularly those people who use the service to get to work.
Please let us know when you catch the bus:
- What time of day?
- Any particular days?
- How often?
- Do you use the service to get to work in the morning?
- Do you use the service to return home after work?
- Any other comments.
Please forward any information to the Parish Clerk by email to strattonpc@gmail.com, by letter to Stratton Parish Council, Manor Cottage, Stratton, DT2 9RY, or via the Stratton Parish Council Facebook page.
Time is of the essence so please forward any information by 12th July 2017 at the latest.Thank You