Bus timetable changes aim to improve reliability
BBCChanges are being made to Guernsey bus services in a bid to improve reliability, punctuality and to serve key community areas better.
Stagecoach took over as Guernsey's bus operator 10 months ago and data analysis has allowed the Committee for Environment & Infrastructure to identify areas for improvement.
The changes will include improving the accuracy of listed times, discontinuing services that are not being used and printing paper tickets on request.
Deputy Adrian Gabriel, committee president, said: "The changes being proposed are based on evidence and will ensure that resources are allocated more efficiently across the wider transport network."
Changes to the island's bus services include:
- Improving the accuracy of listed timings in the bus timetable and including bus route maps within the printed timetable, mentioning key attractions to help visitors
- Removing reference to X services and discontinuing S services to avoid unnecessary confusion, while increasing coverage on other services instead
- Increasing the number of services on several routes and removing under-used journeys where alternatives exist
- Discontinuing services due to low usage such as the P2 Parish Link, 60 and 94
- Improving the coverage of key community locations such as the hospital, Footes Lane, Beau Sejour and the harbour
- Adjusting Night Bus routes to expand coverage across the island
- Printing paper tickets only on request
The changes will be at no additional net cost to the service.
Gabriel said: "In the current financial climate, it's really important that these changes are cost neutral.
"Increasing and improving services means that we have to make adjustments elsewhere.
"I'm confident, however, that this improves Guernsey bus offering as a whole, improving punctuality, increasing coverage and continuing to make bus travel a more attractive choice."
Peter Knight, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: "Since taking on the operation of Guernsey's bus services, our priority has been to work closely with the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure to understand how the network is performing and where it can be improved.
"These proposed changes are about making the best possible use of existing resources to deliver a simpler, more resilient network that meets the needs of both islanders and visitors, and we welcome feedback as part of this consultation process."
Islanders can find out more about the changes at the bus terminus shop on 27 January between 16:00-18:00 GMT and 28 January between 12:00-14:00.
A full list of changes can also be found online.
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