Slimbridge Shuttle which goes to WWT Slimbridge to end | Gazette …
The Slimbridge Shuttle, which stops in Slimbridge, Cam and Dursley on weekends is due to cease its operations at the end of the month on Sunday, August 27.
The service, which began in May and stops at WWT Slimbridge, Cam & Dursley railway station, was intended to be a temporary scheme that would run until the end of August.
It is estimated that around 400 passengers have used the service since its launch, with commuters calling it “amazing” and “fantastic.”
However, its punctuality had been hampered in recent weeks by bad weather in July, frequent closures of the canal swing bridge, and the closure of Box Road.
Calls have now been put forward by organisers and bus-users to continue the service.
At a Cam and Dursley Transport Group meeting on Saturday, July 29, one attendee even suggested expanding its route into Berkeley.
A spokesperson for organiser Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership said: “The aim of the three-month pilot was to test the appetite and need for such a service in the local area.
Visitors with the Slimbridge Shuttle outside WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre – photo by Community Connexions (Image: Community Connexions)
“Despite some recent issues, the pilot bus scheme has proven to be popular.
“Although the service is coming to an end, the pilot has demonstrated a clear opportunity to connect the local community and visitors from further afield with an extremely popular visitor destination and serve local residents.
“The next stage will be a report which summarises the key learnings with the hope that the service will be reinstated and fully funded by another organisation or group.”
A spokesperson for organiser Beate Kubitz Associates added: “We would love to see this service extended and made into a permanent part of the transport network, linking Cam and Dursley railway station with Slimbridge – and also enabling people from Cam and Dursley to get to the station without needing to drive.”
Changes to Stagecoach services in Dursley area
Meanwhile, Stagecoach has recently announced changes to its services across the area which will come into effect on Sunday, August 20.
The company says these changes will ‘improve punctuality’ and includes changes to the 62, 63, 64, 65, 66/166, 67/67A, 69 and 165 services.
This includes the restoration of the 65 stopping at Cam and Dursley rail station and an additional service from Stroud to Dursley.
However, Woodmancote is due to lose one of its services.
MP Siobhan Baillie said: “The changes that Stagecoach have announced to our local services appear to focus on improving punctuality and reflecting journey times better which should be positive for our area but we will need to see what happens each day.
Dr Simon Opher, Labour Party candidate for the Stroud constituency, said: “The changes announced by Stagecoach are good news in general.
“I was particularly impressed by the restoration of the 65 stopping at Cam and Dursley railway station.
“Stagecoach’s reliability has improved and while we still have a long way to go this is a step in the right direction.”
See the new timetable at – tinyurl.com/4ac8f54f[1]
References
- ^ tinyurl.com/4ac8f54f (www.stagecoachbus.com)