Beth Doherty
Salisbury’s MP John Glen has written to the Managing Director of Salisbury Reds to highlight ongoing concerns regarding the reduction of services and cancelled buses in recent months.
The local bus operators have come under fire from local business owners and residents who have created a community-help Facebook page to inform each other about cancelled or late Salisbury Reds buses. The group has 387 members.
Glen says it has been a challenging period for the local bus operators who have experienced driver shortages and a cyber-attack. However, more needs to be done to ensure people in Salisbury have a reliable service.
In his letter to Andrew Wickham, which John Glen shared on Twitter, he wrote:
“I am writing regarding bus services provided by Salisbury Reds. In recent months, a growing number of constituents across South Wiltshire have been in contact with me and Wiltshire Council regarding disruption to services provided by Salisbury Reds.
“I realise that your firm is operating in very challenging economic conditions as a result of a decline of passenger numbers due to the pandemic, driver shortages, as well as earlier this month, a cyber-attack on the company’s IT systems.
“Despite all these difficulties, thousands of my constituents depend on your services to get to work, educational establishments, and medical appointments. It is therefore essential that you do everything possible to ensure that there is a reliable service to allow my constituents to go about their daily lives without significant disruption.
“I met with a constituent earlier this week who lives on Bemerton Heath and is dependent on the R1 service to get to important medical appointments at Salisbury District Hospital. He has experienced severe disruption on a number of occasions with buses not turning up, requiring him to leave for his appointments much earlier than he would normally, to ensure he gets to the hospital on time.
“I am fully cognisant of the multiple challenges that Salisbury Reds faces in providing bus services in the present climate. However, more must be done to ensure there is the provision of a working and viable public transport system in Salisbury. I would therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further at your earliest convenience.”
I have written to Salisbury Reds raising concerns regarding the reduction of services and cancelled buses in recent months. It has been challenging period with driver shortages and a cyber-attack but more needs to be done to ensure people in Salisbury have a reliable service. pic.twitter.com/SVskCp3Zm7
— John Glen MP (@JohnGlenUK) October 12, 2022
Salisbury Reds have been approached for comment. More to follow.
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Andy Munns
