Meanwhile - Back on the Buses

The announcement of the new ‘Zig Zag’ bus service by Wiltshire Council linking Chippenham, Corsham, Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge sounds like a great success story for rural public transport.

However as the announcement came just days before the new service started on 1st August - and therefore days before a number of existing services were dropped it is no wonder that local people are wondering what on earth is going on.

Although I am in principle in favour of what this service claims to achieve I am appalled that there was no consultation with any local people or their elected representatives, the timetabling of the service is woefully thin and the complete lack of any information at nearly all the bus stops – while the now defunct ones continue to be listed - is exasperating.

As an example, the bus link from Corsham to Chippenham Community Hospital sounds wonderful but the reality is just two a day on weekdays only leaving Corsham at either 10.25 or 11.50 and leaving Chippenham Community Hospital for the return trip at 11.12 or 12.39. A tight turnaround for most appointments – and it doesn’t even go from Newlands road!

Will we be surprised to see the whole zig zag service cut in a few months due to a lack of customers?