Town can't hope for bus rivalry
I refer to the Competition Commission inquiry into the takeover by Stagecoach of both Eastbourne Buses and Cavendish. I fear that Nigel Waterson has badly missed the point in pursuit of cheap political "jibes".
One thing that is blindingly obvious, is that a town the size of Eastbourne cannot sustain competition in the provision of local bus services. There is simply insufficient demand for public transport, and therefore insufficient revenue, primarily because Eastbourne is a relatively affluent area where private car ownership is quite high. This is precisely why two separate competing companies were on the point of financial meltdown when Stagecoach purchased Eastbourne Buses. The subsequent purchase of the Cavendish operation was a totally logical conclusion.
While I have opinions regarding the background to the problems which brought about the Bus War in Eastbourne, I do not intend to dwell on them here......they are history. I am neither pro, nor anti- Stagecoach but seek to bring rational and balanced thinking to the debate instead of political rhetoric. If I had a comment to make about Stagecoach it would be to the effect that they are a professional and very dedicated outfit who are ideal to sort out the mess that Eastbourne Borough Council has presided over in recent years.
Sure, Stagecoach are in business to make a profit (but then who isn't?) but surely they have already demonstrated their commitment to the town in the largely successful recent re-casting of the route network and the influx of modern, accessible and "green" buses since they took over (more than a million pounds invested in Eastbourne). Their approach has been calm, organised and effective.
It seems to me that the best solution to providing a decent and affordable service in Eastbourne (and anywhere else for that matter) would be for the politicians to keep their noses out of it, and leave it to the professional busmen who know how to run the business to get on with it. There is definitely a need for the traffic commissioners to impose conditions on Stagecoach to ensure that if any fare increases or timetable adjustments are sought, they are both reasonable and justifiable, but it would be pure folly, based solely on political dogma, to require the company to divest themselves of any part of the business.
I have absolutely no doubt that the interests of the travelling public would be best served by leaving them well alone to get on with the job. I am perfectly sure they are well versed in the problems faced by the buses in the town.....the seasonal population fluctuations, the massive influx of foreign students and so on but change in pursuit of purely political "goals" such as enforced competition would be of absolutely no benefit to the travelling public in the town.
Alan Snatt
Otham Park
Hailsham.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
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Wind direction: North east
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Light sleet showers
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