End of road for remote post buses

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scot ... 998119.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Five post bus services in the Highlands will run for the last time on Friday.

Those affected are Diabaig-Achnasheen, Applecross-Torridon and Torridon-Strathcarron in Wester Ross.

Royal Mail, which runs the post buses, will also cease operating the far north routes of Thurso-Tongue and Bettyhill-Thurso.

Highland Council-funded bus services could replace them. Officers have been asked to arrange interim measures to provide public transport.

Communities on the routes will also be consulted on long-term solutions. The local authority had subsidised the post buses.

Older people

It was previously thought the services would end on Thursday, but Royal Mail confirmed that Friday was the last day.

Royal Mail has previously said it was first and foremost a postal operator, not a transport company, and its first priority was the collection and delivery of mail.

Low numbers of passengers, lack of funding and smaller amounts of mail carried on the buses have been cited as reasons for the ending of the services.

Helen Murchison, chairwoman of Lochcarron Community Council, said the cuts would particularly disadvantage older people and those who did not have access to transport in a remote part of the country.

She urged Royal Mail to think again about axing the routes.

Last month, a report to Highland Council's transport, environment and community services committee, showed the local authority paid a total subsidy of £12,871 for the five services.

Royal Mail had requested £35,300 - an increase of £22,429 - to cover 2009-10, but now plans to stop running the buses from 16 April.

[prowler]

What a fecking disgrace, it gives me no pleasure to work for this shithouse organisation any more. A public service to be proud of at one time and a fabric of the community, now a total shambles run by a lot of self-seeking arseholes(rant over).

[dvbuk55]

What a fecking disgrace, it gives me no pleasure to work for this shithouse organisation any more. A public service to be proud of at one time and a fabric of the community, now a total shambles run by a lot of self-seeking arseholes(rant over).

If it isn't economical and self sustaining it has to go - hundreds of posties have gone because of cost cutting should we subsidise a remote and unrelated service?

[johnsouthwales]

how come it would cost a 22k increase?

[prowler]

What a fecking disgrace, it gives me no pleasure to work for this shithouse organisation any more. A public service to be proud of at one time and a fabric of the community, now a total shambles run by a lot of self-seeking arseholes(rant over).

If it isn't economical and self sustaining it has to go - hundreds of posties have gone because of cost cutting should we subsidise a remote and unrelated service?

Maybe you should get yourself up to some of these communities and tell them they are ' remote and unrelated '. Whats the subsidy for, the vans are going there anyway? Its all part of thr great privatisation plan. I've worked for RM for over 20 years and never yet met or heard of a postie being made compulsory redundant. Thank feck for the SNP who realise the importance of Royal Mail to rural communities.

[stokes11eg]

It seems a bit daft,the vans will still be going to these areas anyway, and if they loose the subsidy for NOT carrying passengers,where is the cost savings here.?

[dvbuk55]

What a fecking disgrace, it gives me no pleasure to work for this shithouse organisation any more. A public service to be proud of at one time and a fabric of the community, now a total shambles run by a lot of self-seeking arseholes(rant over).

If it isn't economical and self sustaining it has to go - hundreds of posties have gone because of cost cutting should we subsidise a remote and unrelated service?

Maybe you should get yourself up to some of these communities and tell them they are ' remote and unrelated '. Whats the subsidy for, the vans are going there anyway? Its all part of thr great privatisation plan. I've worked for RM for over 20 years and never yet met or heard of a postie being made compulsory redundant. Thank feck for the SNP who realise the importance of Royal Mail to rural communities.

No thanks - they are too remote and a bus service is totally unrelated to mail delivery.

[prowler]

Not to these communities it isn't, its a valued service, but RM don't give a feck about rural post buses or rural Post Offices because they are loss making and therefor don't fit in with their privatisation agenda. This business is making a PROFIT which is estimated to be double last years. I can't wait to find out. What's the whole idea of a universal service? Surely for profitable parts to subsidise non-profitable parts, or am I wrong? I hope there is an outcry in rural Scotland, England, Wales and N Ireland about the way RM is treating them. Ask any rural postie if their customers are 'remote and unrelated'. We all know that New Liebor don't give a feck, luckily we have a party and a government up here that does.

[prowler]

What a fecking disgrace, it gives me no pleasure to work for this shithouse organisation any more. A public service to be proud of at one time and a fabric of the community, now a total shambles run by a lot of self-seeking arseholes(rant over).

If it isn't economical and self sustaining it has to go - hundreds of posties have gone because of cost cutting should we subsidise a remote and unrelated service?

Maybe you should get yourself up to some of these communities and tell them they are ' remote and unrelated '. Whats the subsidy for, the vans are going there anyway? Its all part of thr great privatisation plan. I've worked for RM for over 20 years and never yet met or heard of a postie being made compulsory redundant. Thank feck for the SNP who realise the importance of Royal Mail to rural communities.

No thanks - they are too remote and a bus service is totally unrelated to mail delivery.

If a bus service is totally unrelated to mail delivery, I suppose a ferry service and an air service will be unrelated too. Many people in the Highlands and Islands will be interested to hear that!

[dvbuk55]

What a fecking disgrace, it gives me no pleasure to work for this shithouse organisation any more. A public service to be proud of at one time and a fabric of the community, now a total shambles run by a lot of self-seeking arseholes(rant over).

If it isn't economical and self sustaining it has to go - hundreds of posties have gone because of cost cutting should we subsidise a remote and unrelated service?

Maybe you should get yourself up to some of these communities and tell them they are ' remote and unrelated '. Whats the subsidy for, the vans are going there anyway? Its all part of thr great privatisation plan. I've worked for RM for over 20 years and never yet met or heard of a postie being made compulsory redundant. Thank feck for the SNP who realise the importance of Royal Mail to rural communities.

No thanks - they are too remote and a bus service is totally unrelated to mail delivery.

If a bus service is totally unrelated to mail delivery, I suppose a ferry service and an air service will be unrelated too. Many people in the Highlands and Islands will be interested to hear that!

So move to a town.