BUS COMPANY DIRECTOR TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO TRURO RESIDENTS

Children in Truro have been left stranded after First Devon and Cornwall Bus Company cancelled the service which took them to school claiming a lack of commercial viability and support from Cornwall Council meant the route was not viable.

Terrye Teverson, prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, has invited the Commercial Director of First to a public meeting with the residents of Malpas Estate to explain the bus company's decision to cancel the service which took children to Tregolls Primary School.

"I think it's so important for someone to come and explain to these parents why this decision has been taken and what they can do to get a bus service for their children." Mrs Teverson said.

"I have been speaking to Simon Newport, the Commercial Director of First, and he has now agreed to come and speak to Malpas Road Community Association at a public meeting. Hopefully this situation can be resolved as quickly as possible so the children have a bus which can take them to school through the winter."

Many young children were left waiting for the bus on the first day of the new school term, some as young as five. Parents are angry that no-one informed them the service which had run for eight years, was being cancelled.

"It's a very long walk for young children in the middle of winter to go to their nearest school," explained Jackie Rowe, chairperson of the Malpas Road Community Association.

"Some of the children are not very well and in the middle of winter they may not make it to school. We are delighted that Terrye Teverson has managed to get a bus company representative to come and speak to us and explain their decision."

First Devon and Cornwall Bus Company took over the service, originally run by Truronian, earlier this year. Simon Newport explained the decision had been taken to remove the service because it was not financially viable and not well used. It cost First £40,000 a year to run the service but it was only generating revenue of £5000 a year.

"This is one of those Catch 22 situations - the bus company is a private business and is losing £35,000 a year running this service, no-one else is claiming responsibility, and yet there are 10 or more children stuck without any way of getting to school except walking for 45 minutes in some cases. This is clearly not acceptable with winter on the way. Either the bus company has to accept some responsibility or Cornwall Council does. We need to find a solution quickly and I hope this public meeting will do just that!" Mrs Teverson added.