Following representations from the Bus Users’ Group, passengers and employers on Caton Road, it appears that a compromise has been reached over the proposed withdrawal of stopping places on the Park & Ride service.
Our previous post reported that with effect from today (2 December), following an edict from the county council, passengers would no longer be allowed to use the service to travel to and from anywhere other than the Infirmary, city centre or the Park & Ride site, thus inconveniencing many people using it to get to work at the businesses along Caton Road.
However, Lancashire County Council, which contracts Lonsdale Buses to run the service on its behalf, has confirmed that stops at the Holiday Inn / Lancaster Business Park will remain open to passengers. It is also asking Lonsdale Buses to add the stops in Parliament Street to the registered list of stopping places.
Limited Stops
Notwithstanding a comment made on our previous post, the Council maintains that the service was always intended – and registered – as a limited-stop service and it is still unclear to the Bus Users’ Group when and how local passengers began to be carried.
In an official statement the Council said:
“The Caton Road Park & Ride service is operated by Lonsdale Coaches (sic) under contract to LCC and has operated on the basis of a limited-stop service between the Park & Ride site and the city centre from the outset.
“However, over the years a number of customers (sic) have been using the service to/from the Business Park on Caton Road
“Following concerns raised by them after it was decided to revert back to the original limited-stop arrangement we have agreed with Lonsdale Coaches to include the Business Park stops as official bus stops on the route.”
Separately, the Council has confirmed to the Bus Users’ Group that the full list of stops to be observed is as follows:
On journeys to the Park & Ride site:
Lancaster Royal Infirmary
Queen Square
China Street
Lancaster Bus Station (Stand 4)
“Skerton Bridge” (by which they mean Parliament Street)
Lancaster Business Park (Holiday Inn)
Park & Ride Site.
On journeys towards the Infirmary:
Park & Ride Site
Business Park (Premier Inn)
opposite Sainsbury’s (on North Road)
opposite Infirmary (to set down only)
Lancaster Royal Infirmary.
Unfortunately, the council does not feel able to open up any further stops on Caton Road as it feels this would jeopardise timekeeping on the service.
Compromise
Again notwithstanding the comment on our previous post, the Council has confirmed that the service registration will be amended to reflect the new position and to ensure that online information sites such as Google Maps and Traveline are correct and a revised timetable leaflet will be issued and bus stop displays amended.
Whilst the reason for this change that has caused so much upset remains unclear, LBUG is just pleased that an acceptable compromise has been reached and that passengers can still get to and from their place of work.
Lancaster Bus Users' Group 