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Poor buses a huge problem
I HAVE just had a morning appointment at the Lancaster Royal Infirmary. The journey, which would have taken 10 minutes by car, took 70 minutes by bus and cost £3.40.
I felt I was quadruply penalised -
As so few people now use the bus, we no longer have a direct service along the by-pass from Heysham but trundle through all the main residential areas of Heysham, the West End, Morecambe and Torrisholme.
Because the journey was so long, I had to start before my pensioner's pass became valid so had to pay full fare.
The length of the route puts the price up.
Those who only pay for a single journey are charged over the odds.
The poor bus service is a big hindrance to resort regeneration. Free fares for pensioners are great, but on a Sunday it is well-nigh impossible to get to Morecambe as most buses run hourly and not to time.
And talking about hindrances to regeneration, I found the toilets on the sea front, opposite Regent Road, closed at 11.30am one weekday recently. There was nothing to say why they were closed, so we could not know if they would be open at another time - and this sort of thing undermines all the regeneration.
The toilets in Morecambe Library car park cost 20p and there is neither toilet paper nor soap. Not a bargain and a bad impression of the town!
We really need a joint effort here. Some are making an effort, including one West End business which has been recommended by an award for service. Can't we get our act together!
Ms J Turner, Heysham.
8:12am Wednesday 30th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Frank D, uk on 6:43pm Fri 2 May 08
Perhaps Ms Turner you need to realise that there is a price to pay for things in life, even if you use the whinging old coggers excuse i hear so often " well i'm a pensioner".
You could have planned your appointment better, you could have planned your journey better, or even perish the thought, gone by car!In a taxi!
I have been using the very same buses you gladly berate and the service is great on number 2 and 2a.
As for jumping all over Morecambe and regeneration, again there is a cost and most of the time in relation to toilets being closed i live near Regent road toilets, and whilst they are not the best, they are generally available unless there is a good reason, but if the cleaners discovered lots of syringes in them whilst cleaning and closed for public safety then why advertise the fact that it is closed because of this, this would drive more people away.
In relation to the arndale toilets, i agree, if you are expected to pay in addition to a community charge for a service then it is only right to expect a good service and soap and towels. Maybe use wetherspoons in future, they are free and always well looked after.
Perhaps Ms Turner you need to realise that there is a price to pay for things in life, even if you use the whinging old coggers excuse i hear so often " well i'm a pensioner".
You could have planned your appointment better, you could have planned your journey better, or even perish the thought, gone by car!In a taxi!
I have been using the very same buses you gladly berate and the service is great on number 2 and 2a.
As for jumping all over Morecambe and regeneration, again there is a cost and most of the time in relation to toilets being closed i live near Regent road toilets, and whilst they are not the best, they are generally available unless there is a good reason, but if the cleaners discovered lots of syringes in them whilst cleaning and closed for public safety then why advertise the fact that it is closed because of this, this would drive more people away.
In relation to the arndale toilets, i agree, if you are expected to pay in addition to a community charge for a service then it is only right to expect a good service and soap and towels. Maybe use wetherspoons in future, they are free and always well looked after.
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