20 May 2009
The summer timetable for the buses starts next Sunday, 24 May, and will incorporate several improvements to the service. There are three main changes. Firstly, there is a new morning ‘express’ commuter service from Les Quennevais running along Victoria Avenue. Secondly, there are two new late night buses on Friday and Saturday evenings from St Aubins back into town. Thirdly, luggage facilities have also been installed on half the buses that serve the Airport.
The introduction of the ‘express’ commuter service from Les Quennevais will not only speed up and improve the travelling experience of passengers, as they will not have to stop along St Aubin’s Inner Road, but also free up spaces for passengers along the Inner Road.
Transport and Technical Services has been working hard with Connex to provide luggage facilities on buses serving the Airport Route. Initially, only half the buses serving this route will be equipped with space for luggage, however this will be expanded to all buses as soon as possible. This will not only help visitors and residents who struggle with cases on the buses but also provide additional room for pushchairs.
The two additional evening weekend bus services from St Aubin will service demand from an area where there is a lot of evening activities.
The Minister for Transport and Technical Services said “I am pleased to say passenger numbers are continuing to increase on the buses. We are always trying to improve the service both by matching customers’ needs and by making the operation more efficient. I really hope the changes we are now introducing will not only help existing passengers but also encourage more people on to the buses..”
In total there are over 20 changes compared to the summer timetable last year, some of which are minor practical amendments to avoid duplication or regularise services. Four services have been withdrawn although two of these have been replaced by a service following a slightly different route (Route 3B at 10.50 and 13.50 from St Helier would be replaced by Route 23 at the same times). One service has been withdrawn which is the Route 7B at 16.30 from Greve de Lecq which both the Red Island Explorer and the Route 9 already serve. Following comments from the public, the Minister did not approve the proposal to withdraw Route 12A at 9.20 from L’Etacq.
The Minister commented “I value the feedback from the public and I have responded to their concerns about our proposals to withdraw the 12A , which would have caused problems particularly for those people who had no alternative means of getting into town, and this service will not now be withdrawn. However, this does mean that the additional Route 23 to Durrell at 9.20 cannot now be operated. ”
All the changes have been managed within Connex’s current contract and do not require additional funding.
Transport and Technical Services also want to remind everybody that the Island Explorer service is not just a tourist service, it is available for anyone to use. It operates 7 days a week through until 11 October 2009, and then on the following three weekends to provide services up until the beginning of November,. The Minister said “I have received some comments that members of the public think the Island Explorer service is just for tourists visiting leisure destinations. But it links up well with the scheduled services and can provide alternative routings and attractions for both residents and visitors alike.”
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