Comments for The Culbone - a pips pub http://www.theculbone.com Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:31:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on SAVE THE 300 by simon http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-84 simon Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:31:13 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-84 Its simple, if this service is neededas much as you all say then simply make it a tourist route and make the pensioners pay their way on it, i bet if they had to pay then they woudn't be using it as much. I think the £100,000 the the county council spends on this could be better spent elsewere Its simple, if this service is neededas much as you all say then simply make it a tourist route and make the pensioners pay their way on it, i bet if they had to pay then they woudn’t be using it as much. I think the £100,000 the the county council spends on this could be better spent elsewere

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Tony Reese http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-63 Tony Reese Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:13:45 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-63 The final decision will be taken at the meeting of Somerset County Council at County Hall, Taunton at 10am on Wednesday 15 February. The final decision will be taken at the meeting of Somerset County Council at County Hall, Taunton at 10am on Wednesday 15 February.

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Quantock Motor Services http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-56 Quantock Motor Services Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:49:14 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-56 Thank you for all your support! Thank you for all your support!

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Ian Rigby http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-53 Ian Rigby Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:11:28 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-53 The coastal 300 bus service is far more than just an important rual service, it is a unique tourist attraction for Exmoor, its rural communities and businesses and a vital component of the local economy in these harsh economic times. The SCC consultation process is deeply flawed and was conducted over the Christmas and New Year period at a time when it would receive the least exposure and attention. I urge everyone to do all within their power to secure the future of this important service for our area The coastal 300 bus service is far more than just an important rual service, it is a unique tourist attraction for Exmoor, its rural communities and businesses and a vital component of the local economy in these harsh economic times.

The SCC consultation process is deeply flawed and was conducted over the Christmas and New Year period at a time when it would receive the least exposure and attention. I urge everyone to do all within their power to secure the future of this important service for our area

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Will Hamer http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-49 Will Hamer Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:53:27 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-49 Retaining very important routes like the Minehead 300 allows locals and visitors alike to use and visit some of the remoter villages and areas that larger bus operators will not entertain for operational and economic reasons. These areas will de-populate until only families with independant transport means, who very often only visit on a 'holiday cottage' basis occupy the countryside. This will not sustain villages, shops, pubs or even services paid for out of the rates. It is a test of our civilised values that services are sometimes retained, even if they do not (on the surface) pay if the provide invaluable enfranchisement of the indiginious population of an area. Abandoning this route is so shortsighted. Please re-consider. Retaining very important routes like the Minehead 300 allows locals and visitors alike to use and visit some of the remoter villages and areas that larger bus operators will not entertain for operational and economic reasons.

These areas will de-populate until only families with independant transport means, who very often only visit on a ‘holiday cottage’ basis occupy the countryside. This will not sustain villages, shops, pubs or even services paid for out of the rates.

It is a test of our civilised values that services are sometimes retained, even if they do not (on the surface) pay if the provide invaluable enfranchisement of the indiginious population of an area. Abandoning this route is so shortsighted. Please re-consider.

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Laxmeesh Rao http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-48 Laxmeesh Rao Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:51:53 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-48 Do not cut bus services which are socially necessary or those that bring in tourism to Somerset. Bear in mind visitors do not always drive, so buses are crucial to visit places like Porlock and Lynmouth. Summer services such as the 400 in itself are an attraction as they use vintage buses and a conductor who provides a guided tour Do not cut bus services which are socially necessary or those that bring in tourism to Somerset. Bear in mind visitors do not always drive, so buses are crucial to visit places like Porlock and Lynmouth. Summer services such as the 400 in itself are an attraction as they use vintage buses and a conductor who provides a guided tour

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Jim Morey http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-33 Jim Morey Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:28:49 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-33 We should be careful, though. Many users of the 300 have some sort of concessionary pass. The government is reducing the amount of reimbursement that it gives bus operators for each concessionary pass carried. As it is, the bus companies get far less per son than if that person paid the full fare for their journey. The same govermnet has also slashed the 'rural transport fund', a subsidy for maintaining rural bus services. Not only that, but they are planning to cut the fuel duty rebate that bus operators receive against the cost of fuel. We should be careful, though.

Many users of the 300 have some sort of concessionary pass. The government is reducing the amount of reimbursement that it gives bus operators for each concessionary pass carried. As it is, the bus companies get far less per son than if that person paid the full fare for their journey.

The same govermnet has also slashed the ‘rural transport fund’, a subsidy for maintaining rural bus services. Not only that, but they are planning to cut the fuel duty rebate that bus operators receive against the cost of fuel.

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Jim Morey http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-32 Jim Morey Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:25:29 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-32 We use the 300 regularly when visiting friends and family in North Devon and Somerset. The Lynmouth - Minehead section is very busy in the summer season, so where does all that profit go? Of course it will be quieter in the winter, but it still provides a vital link for locals and visitors alike. If winter passenger numbers are an issue, then perhaps a little more effort could be put into improving the quality of the publicity and timetable information for the winter service - which even the most bus-nerdy of you will have to agree is difficult to understand and is far from comprehensive. Perhaps an idea is for the route to be run on a 'community partnership' basis. In that case, then the contract should be for a year-round service, with profits made from the summer used for maintaining off-season service and all publicity. It would help if we could find a way to legally prevent a commercial operator from cherry-picking the busiest times and sections of route! We use the 300 regularly when visiting friends and family in North Devon and Somerset.

The Lynmouth – Minehead section is very busy in the summer season, so where does all that profit go?

Of course it will be quieter in the winter, but it still provides a vital link for locals and visitors alike.

If winter passenger numbers are an issue, then perhaps a little more effort could be put into improving the quality of the publicity and timetable information for the winter service – which even the most bus-nerdy of you will have to agree is difficult to understand and is far from comprehensive.

Perhaps an idea is for the route to be run on a ‘community partnership’ basis. In that case, then the contract should be for a year-round service, with profits made from the summer used for maintaining off-season service and all publicity. It would help if we could find a way to legally prevent a commercial operator from cherry-picking the busiest times and sections of route!

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Rosi Davis http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-31 Rosi Davis Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:35:30 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-31 Very shortsighted to consider cutting this service. It's of value to locals (both individuals and businesses) and visitors and helps reduce the number of cars on our country roads. Very shortsighted to consider cutting this service. It’s of value to locals (both individuals and businesses) and visitors and helps reduce the number of cars on our country roads.

]]> Comment on SAVE THE 300 by Cathy Powell http://www.theculbone.com/save-the-300/#comment-30 Cathy Powell Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:08:01 +0000 http://www.theculbone.com/?p=1273#comment-30 Where else in the country, the world, can such amazing views and scenery be enjoyed, cherished and remembered for a lifetime? The 300 bus surely has to be one of the major jewels in the crown of Exmoor. I cannot believe that cutting this service is even being considered as it links together two already disparate county councils serving one geographical whole. Where else in the country, the world, can such amazing views and scenery be enjoyed, cherished and remembered for a lifetime? The 300 bus surely has to be one of the major jewels in the crown of Exmoor. I cannot believe that cutting this service is even being considered as it links together two already disparate county councils serving one geographical whole.

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