Council steps in to keep Village Lifeline on the Road

COUNCIL STEPS IN TO KEEP VILLAGE LIFELINE ON THE ROAD

 

NEW-STYLE evening and weekend bus services are on the way for village residents to the west of Stockton, thanks to funding through the Borough Council.

 

The changes from Sunday 28 June will mean that, because of legal requirements, users of the service must hold a special pass - available free to travellers to and from the villages - and English National concessionary pass holders can use the off-peak services, known as the Village Link.

 

As a result, the Council is urging residents of or visitors to Stillington, Thorpe Thewles, Whitton, Bishopton, Carlton, Redmarshall, Elton or Long Newton to sign up for the new passes.  The service also takes in central Stockton and the University Hospital of North Tees but cannot stop between the Horse and Jockey and Stockton town centre as these are served by other buses.

 

The extension of the service also sees Stockton Council running its own bus services for the first time in 41 years - but on a very limited scale.

 

Although the Council does not run commercial bus services, it does fund some services which are not commercially viable, mostly in the early morning, evening and at weekends.

 

For the Village Link service, Stockton Council secured the funding to operate from the Government's Community Bus Challenge. 

 

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Regeneration, said:  "I am delighted we have been able to keep this essential local lifeline running.

 

"We have introduced an innovative way of working, which means we can make the best use out of vehicles we already own, but it does need passengers to sign up to a special pass before travelling.

 

"To use the service you need to live or work in one of the villages, or be visiting them.  For legal reasons, you must register and be issued with a special bus pass, which the Council will provide free of charge along with route details.  Alternatively, the drivers will accept the English National concessionary bus passes."

 

Although the Council sought bids from established bus operators, the available finance did not meet the costs.  So it submitted its own plan, using buses which normally take residents to the Borough's social care facilities.

 

Stockton Corporation Transport's green buses were a familiar sight from 1921 until 1968 but large-scale Council bus operations will not return.  However, it does make sense for the Council to make more efficient use of vehicles normally only used at other times of the day.

 

The smart white Village Link vehicles will operate an hourly circular route linking the villages with Stockton High Street and the hospital on Mondays to Fridays from 6-11pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-11pm.  For a trial period the flat rate is £1 per adult and 50p per child per journey, with concessions free with a valid pass.

 

To register for a pass or find out more about this service please call (01642) 527159 or e-mail john.howe@stockton.gov.uk

http://www.stockton.gov.uk/pressoffice/

Other Local News from Stockton-on-Tees

• Durham Tees Valley future secured
• Sex charges denied by footballer
• Darlington P-P Wrexham
• Ipswich v Middlesbrough
• Icy conditions cause road crashes
• View All Latest News in Stockton-on-Tees