Maria Eagle MP A Strong Voice in Tough Times
Recently I have received many complaints about buses in the Belle Vale area. I have been working with local councillors Helen Thompson, Ruth Bennett and Pauline Walton to get the bus service improved.
Tackling Belle Vale Bus Problems
Recently I have received many complaints about the 165 and 166 buses in the Belle Vale area. I have been working with local councillors Helen Thompson, Ruth Bennett and Pauline Walton to get the bus service improved. Watch the video below for more. While we have had some success in getting normal service restored it is my view that bus services must be re-regulated and brought back into public ownership. This is the only way to maintain vital services when they are not financially viable.
Posted by Maria Eagle MP on Monday, October 8, 2018
Many local residents rely on the 165 and 166 to get to and from the main shopping centre in Belle Vale. Sadly the 165 service has been cancelled leaving many residents on Hartsbourne Avenue unable to do their shopping and leaving many elderly residents isolated. Adding to these issues the 166 service has been sporadic and unreliable for many weeks.
Local Councillors and I have contacted HTL and Merseytravel about these issues. Bus deregulation means that HTL has the power to cancel services that are not financially viable but Merseytravel, who have the power to subsidise loss making services, has had its budget cut by central government meaning they have no money to do so. HTL have now got the 166 service running as it should but the problems surrounding the 165 will not easily be solved.
It is my view that bus services must be re-regulated and brought back into public ownership. We have all seen how successful this is in London. I firmly believe that if its good enough for our capital then its good enough for Liverpool. This is the only way to maintain vital services when they are not financially viable.