The Task Force continues to work hard to ensure that our rural villages will have an ongoing bus service. Thanks to Suffolk County Council we have a bus service until 27th December and by working collaboratively with the service provider, Simonds, this is now working well.

Currently, we are focused on our submission to Suffolk County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan fund to enable the Bus service no 73 to continue, as well as vital funding to support buses for students not eligible for Suffolk County Council school transport. Without these bus services school children, students and workers will face difficulties in getting to school, college or work. Some people have already told us they could lose their jobs. The 73 is also a lifeline for all those people without cars, as this bus service is the only public transport through the villages.

We are heartened by the political support and the service provider’s willingness to work with us to find ways to achieve a sustainable bus service. We need people to use the buses so that they can become commercially viable as soon as possible. We also need Suffolk County Council to help us to bridge the financial gap which currently exists.

We shall continue to work proactively and constructively with all parties to achieve a solution for our rural communities.

Karen Witton – Chair Task Force