Mark Pawsey MP (right) with John Oughton (left), who raised concerns over the number 86 bus service.
Regular users of the number 86 bus service in Rugby will enjoy a smoother service thanks to the help of local MP Mark Pawsey.
In recent months users of the service have suffered busses running behind schedule, due to road works around Tollbar Island, and cancellations leading one local resident, John Oughton, to contact Mark Pawsey for help.
Mark immediately contacted the service operator Stagecoach Midlands and thanks to this intervention the 86 service route will be split in order to mitigate problems due to the road works at Tollbar. Users of the service will also be reimbursed for fuel costs if any bus is cancelled.
Last week Mark met with Binley Woods resident Mr Oughton who was compelled to contact him after being forced to rely on his daughter to pick him up from the Overslade estate and take him home in December 2014 after the cancellation of the last two 86 Stagecoach buses one evening. Mr Oughton also highlighted the persistent problem of the 86 bus service running late due to local road works.
After the meeting with Mr Oughton Mark said:
“I am very pleased that Stagecoach Midlands have responded to Mr Oughton’s concerns regarding the issues with the 86 Bus Service. Following my contract with Stagecoach they have decided that the 86 bus service from Kenilworth to Overslade will now separate the cross-Coventry link (Coventry to Whitley) from the Coventry to Overslade service to ensure that my constituents get a reliable service.”
Mark continued:
“Stagecoach Midlands have also offered that in the future should the last bus not arrive, they will reimburse fuel costs (40p per mile) and also provide a complimentary Dayrider Gold Voucher to the customer. I would like to thank them on behalf of all of the users of the service for the quick action to remedy this problem”
Mr Oughton added following the meeting:
“I am very pleased that Mark has been able to get a positive result for me and other 86 Stagecoach users and to ensure that local residents are provided with a reliable bus service. Following Mark’s intervention I was also provided with a complimentary Dayrider Gold voucher for compensation (provides a day’s unlimited travel on all Stagecoach Midlands services in Warwickshire and Northampton) and reimbursed the fuel cost (£7.20) my daughter incurred when she collected me.”