Sunday 5 February 2012
Published: 10/03/2010 08:39 - Updated: 10/03/2010 09:38

Unreliable timetables 'let rural bus services down'

By Emily Fox
TRANSPORT minister Sadiq Khan posed as an undercover traveller on Hitchin’s buses in his efforts to improve rural transportation.
 
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan
Mr Khan told the Advertiser he had been generally impressed, particularly with the customer service provided by bus drivers but that infrequent buses, inaccurate timetables and vandalised bus stops had not made the experience entirely positive.
 
“The service was let down by timetables which were not always reliable. The government’s plan to spend £55m targeting rural buses will enable services to modernise, looking at computerised facilities, like those which run successfully throughout London,” he said.
 
“There are five million journeys made on buses every day and we are putting in place mystery travellers from today in order to maintain proper service levels.”
 
Mr Khan also discussed the uncertain future of train company First Capital Connect which serves, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock and Stevenage.
 
He said: “Unless First Capital Connect radically improves the service we will consider all options. We have had talks with the head of FCC and maintain that they need to pull their socks up to keep the franchise.”
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