Withdrawal of bus services to be raised in Parliament
THE withdrawal of bus services in Henbury due to antisocial behaviour will be raised in Parliament.
Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie believes the reaction of First Bus is over the top and has promised to address the issue in the House of Commons.
Ms Leslie has also written to Avon and Somerset police and First Bus to express her concerns.
The bus services in her constituency have been temporarily withdrawn due to robberies and antisocial behaviour.
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She said: "This is a very serious issue and I think that the response by the bus company and the police is over the top.
"It totally sends out the wrong message to the yobs in our society, that they have the power to disrupt.
"And it sends out the wrong message to those in need of the bus services that they don't matter.
"What we need from the police are plans to combat antisocial behaviour and provide safety on our buses, not a cancellation of a much-needed service.
"And what we need from First Bus is a determination to ensure that the services they undertook to provide will continue to be provided whatever the additional safety measures required."
In the last year, three robberies have been committed against bus drivers in the Henbury and Crow Lane areas. As a direct result, some buses are not running in the area after 6.30pm.
Services affected are 1, 40/40A and 76.
After 6.30pm, No 1 buses no longer serve Station Road in either direction, 40/40A buses do not stop on Hallen Road or Station Road and 76 buses do not serve Henbury, Tomarton Crescent or operate along Station Road.
Bus passengers and Henbury residents believe First has given in to yobs and cut the area adrift in the evenings.
Barbara Smith, 62, of Standfast Road, said: "I do think First Bus have given in to the yobs, but there again you do have to think about the safety of the bus drivers because they are the ones taking the risk.
"I think a security guard on the bus would be a good idea because it would put people off without a doubt."
Nikki Carver, 18, lives in Portishead but uses the buses regularly to visit her friend.
She said: "If we go out now we have to walk home after dark and unfortunately that means dark alleys or over the fields – neither of which is very safe.
"They used to have security on the night buses to make sure everyone was safe but that has gone now. I understand that they want drivers to be safe, but cancelling the services because of yobs is definitely bowing to pressure."
Brian O'Neil, 65, of Standfast Road, added: "It's a bit bleak because people who rely on the buses are stuck.
"They should not have given into the yobs but taken precautions so their drivers are safe, perhaps installing an alarm system."
Tony McNiff, managing director of First in Bristol, Somerset and Avon said: "We would like to apologise to any customers in Henbury who have been affected by our decision to temporarily withdraw bus services from Station Road and Crow Lane in Henbury.
"The decision to do this was not taken lightly but instead was taken in light of the very serious nature of the crimes committed against our drivers.
"Clearly as a responsible employer and bus operator we cannot and will not put our staff or customers at risk, but we do remain committed to providing bus services in the area though, and with this in mind we are working on a plan to reintroduce services."
Comments
by BristolNWNews
Monday, June 04 2012, 7:44AM
“abc”
by Anon, Bristol
Monday, November 15 2010, 9:33PM
“Having driven buses through Henbury for 3 years (and now in a different section of First), i was lucky enough to have not had any attempts to rob my bus. I did however, frequently dodge half bricks and various other missiles.
Also, speaking as someone that has knowledge in it, the security screens would do nothing to deflect a 'fired' item as that then goes into ballistic plastic which is extremly expensive. This is for the safety of drivers that do this job because they like it and also the safety of our passengers as if a wannabe robber is happy to turn a weapon on a driver, do you think they would not think twice on turning it on a passenger as well?
The majority of people that live in the Henbury area are decent folk, it is as usual, the minority that cause the trouble. Decent folk of Henbury, if you know the scrotes that commit these crimes, tell the police and get it sorted because as i mentioned earlier, if they are happy to turn against a driver, they are more than able to turn against a local person.”
by Dave, Stoke Bishop, Bristol
Monday, November 15 2010, 9:03PM
“@ Ade, Portishead: the buses these days have driver protection screens. But even those won't put off the most determined scum in our society.”
by Rob Jones, Brentry
Monday, November 15 2010, 8:53PM
“I live in Brentry and drink in Henbury.I'm with First on this one. Put driver and passenger safety first. Charlotte I supported you in the election and will continue to do so but your wrong on this one.”
by SHARPSHOOTER., Westbury-on-Trym.
Monday, November 15 2010, 6:53PM
“Sorry,Charlotte,I am with the Bus Drivers on this one.Why the Hell should they have to put up with this?”
by steve, bristol
Monday, November 15 2010, 5:06PM
“i bet this woman mp has never been to henbury late at night let alone on a bus?”
by Ade, Portishead
Monday, November 15 2010, 4:47PM
“It's sad to see what has been occuring in Henbury. I lived there for 28 years and tbh have seen a major deterioration of the area. First are well within their rights to protect their staff and vehicles from abuse and attacks. However having worked for City-Line / First between 92 & 95 I beg to ask their management what exactly have they done to protect the drivers? Questions were raised over driver safety when I was there and it seems nothing has changed. Security screens were introduced but were nothing more than a token gesture and could easily be overcome. In other areas passengers buy tickets from machines or shops which eliminates the need for the driver to handle cash and thus becomes a less viable target. The other options which were tried by First on the late buses was that of a drop safe but was half hearted as the driver had to handle the cash and deposit it. In Birmingham as well as other areas passengers boarding put the money into a box and a ticket is issued to that amount. The driver is concealed in a SAFE cab and there is no access from outside. First you make enough profit it's about time you spent some on improving protection for your staff. How long do these attacks have to happen until you spend out to protect them? Removing the service is effective as it was back in the 90's after a spate of attacks in Inns Court Green and the Knowle West and Hartcliffe areas. The communities rallied and the attacks stopped. The community in Henbury need to do this. However bear in mind, these attacks were happening along Crow Lane a while ago now and intervention occured where patrols were stepped up. The incidents reduced significantly but now it would seem they have moved around to the otherside of Henbury which proves the problem if not dealt with justy becomes someone elses problem.”
by Ol Bristol Cabby, Torrevieqa
Monday, November 15 2010, 1:54PM
“Some years ago i had to make a journey by bus in Los Angeles. on the bus you had to have the correct fare,and you placed the coins in a slide which then went to a box in the chassis.
The driver never handled the cash atall, and the cash container was removed from the bus at the depot,i assume from a pit.
Good system i thougth.”
by gerry, bristol
Monday, November 15 2010, 12:19PM
“Another MP who seems to be on a different planet, It is not over the top at all, Time the residents started to ask what their little angles were up to.”
by Former, First Driver
Monday, November 15 2010, 11:13AM
“As it is so "over the top" removing this service perhaps Charlotte Leslie would like to do the route for a few weeks as she is so concerned.
Opening mouth before engaging brain, perhaps she would have been happy if someone had been seriously hurt. Think about the drivers for a change......”