Issue - meetings

Petition – Night TaxiBuzz Service – Pewsey Vale Area

The Chairman reported receipt of a petition organised by the Association of Kennet Passengers. The petition with 202 signatories objected to the decision to cut the Night TaxiBuzz service and called on the Council to review its decision.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Mrs Kate Freeman, the petition organiser and Mrs Susan Hiscocks presented their petition and urged the Council to reinstate the service . A copy of the petition and petition statement were circulated.

The Chairman called on Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport to respond to the petition. Cllr Tonge acknowledged that this matter had also been raised at the Environment Select Committee on 11 May. He assured the petitioners that both the representations made to  the Environment Select Committee  and to this Council meeting had been given serious consideration. He explained how the service was an experimental one intended to test whether taxibuses could provide evening services in rural areas at an affordable subsidy.  However, the service had proved very expensive to run with each passenger journey costing the council about £12 in subsidy. Alternatives for particular groups affected were being investigated. He reiterated that whilst the Council regretted the inconvenience that the withdrawal of the Night TaxiBuzz service had caused, the subsidy level was far too high for it to continue, even when proposals made by the petitioners were taken into account.

Councillors Dow and Carter both spoke in support of the petition.

Resolved:

a)     That Council receive and note the petition.

b)     That a copy of the full statement made by Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport be sent to the petition organisers to explain why unfortunately, the NightBuzz could not be restored.