Comments on: Ipswich Buses, the Tories respond http://bridgeward.org.uk/ipswich-buses-the-tories-respond/ News from Bridge Ward, Ipswich including the Hayes, Old Stoke, Prince of Wales Drive, Maidenhall Estate and Wherstead Road Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:19:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: James Spencer http://bridgeward.org.uk/ipswich-buses-the-tories-respond/#comment-1411 James Spencer Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:58:15 +0000 http://bridgeward.org.uk/?p=206#comment-1411 Selling the bus company whole now would be too much of a leap for most people. The anti bus sale campaign knows that they will be doing the same soon enough if they get in. But if it get's the activists out, who cares? Selling the bus company whole now would be too much of a leap for most people. The anti bus sale campaign knows that they will be doing the same soon enough if they get in. But if it get’s the activists out, who cares?

]]> By: Flexible New Deal http://bridgeward.org.uk/ipswich-buses-the-tories-respond/#comment-1234 Flexible New Deal Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:06:47 +0000 http://bridgeward.org.uk/?p=206#comment-1234 I think selling the bus company would be a good deal for the people of Ipswich. Without applying the "save my local pub although I wont be using them as i get my booze from tesco" concept... although we have increased council taxes where most almost got lost in an overseas bank account and big reserves designed solely for staff (upper management) bonuses... and increased bus fares ... the bus company is poorly run: * buses come early (sometimes around 5 minutes early...) * reduced services (less frequent so if the bus does come early and you arrive on time but missed it you could be waiting 20-30 minutes for another one) even on flagship route 13 (to which they got new buses for and now they are being changed back to normal colours to do other routes - painting isn't cheap!) * increased prices (although services are decreasing) * pay huge rent to council for their depot - well over its value (i.e. to milk money out of the property) * outsourcing a lot of operations wasting money Lets not go on about the pension hole. Until the Council can grow up and be serious with replacing the bus company's management, it is in the best interest for the people of Ipswich to have it run by a private business. I think selling the bus company would be a good deal for the people of Ipswich.

Without applying the “save my local pub although I wont be using them as i get my booze from tesco” concept… although we have increased council taxes where most almost got lost in an overseas bank account and big reserves designed solely for staff (upper management) bonuses… and increased bus fares … the bus company is poorly run:

* buses come early (sometimes around 5 minutes early…)
* reduced services (less frequent so if the bus does come early and you arrive on time but missed it you could be waiting 20-30 minutes for another one) even on flagship route 13 (to which they got new buses for and now they are being changed back to normal colours to do other routes – painting isn’t cheap!)
* increased prices (although services are decreasing)
* pay huge rent to council for their depot – well over its value (i.e. to milk money out of the property)
* outsourcing a lot of operations wasting money

Lets not go on about the pension hole.

Until the Council can grow up and be serious with replacing the bus company’s management, it is in the best interest for the people of Ipswich to have it run by a private business.

]]> By: James Spencer http://bridgeward.org.uk/ipswich-buses-the-tories-respond/#comment-1223 James Spencer Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:52:19 +0000 http://bridgeward.org.uk/?p=206#comment-1223 Chris Mole is actually the minister who's in charge of approving these deals. He had a walk in part when Plymouth sold off its buses. He has the same role here (although he will probably get another minister to do this for Ipswich buses). Through pure luck he can block this deal. The simple fact is that the Labour Councillors don't want him to do this as they can get their activists and voters fired up. Chris Mole is actually the minister who’s in charge of approving these deals. He had a walk in part when Plymouth sold off its buses. He has the same role here (although he will probably get another minister to do this for Ipswich buses).

Through pure luck he can block this deal. The simple fact is that the Labour Councillors don’t want him to do this as they can get their activists and voters fired up.

]]> By: Flexible New Deal http://bridgeward.org.uk/ipswich-buses-the-tories-respond/#comment-1220 Flexible New Deal Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:08:28 +0000 http://bridgeward.org.uk/?p=206#comment-1220 I have to say apart from influence by negotiations Chris Mole has no power to delay or stop the sell off. The bus company is a private business with its own management and is owned by the council (councillors NOT MP's) . As Chris Mole isn't a councillor he has no say in the matter (apart from his opinion). I have to say apart from influence by negotiations Chris Mole has no power to delay or stop the sell off. The bus company is a private business with its own management and is owned by the council (councillors NOT MP’s) . As Chris Mole isn’t a councillor he has no say in the matter (apart from his opinion).

]]> By: Andrew Coates http://bridgeward.org.uk/ipswich-buses-the-tories-respond/#comment-1192 Andrew Coates Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:09:25 +0000 http://bridgeward.org.uk/?p=206#comment-1192 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=231956380418&ref=mf Save Ipswich Buses group gets off the ground. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=231956380418&ref=mf

Save Ipswich Buses group gets off the ground.

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