Bus situation is a waste, but no surprise

THE bombshell that Guernsey could be without any scheduled bus services in a few months is truly shocking.

Firstly, it will obviously have a major impact on regular bus users, including many who have no alternative transport options because they don't drive private vehicles. This group includes many elderly people, those on the lowest incomes in Guernsey and disabled islanders. A failure by the States to find a solution in time will obviously severely curtail their ability to move around the island. That would be a real scandal and totally at odds with the States' own alleged social policy objectives.

Just as appalling, in its own way, is that any hiatus in bus services will risk throwing away years of investment, of both time and money, encouraging islanders to use public transport – at least some of the time.

Until recently, this had been a real success story. When Island Coachways started operating the service, Guernsey faced the real prospect of losing its buses altogether. Over the years, thanks to genuine commitment by previous States Assemblies and a highly professional approach by the operator, that situation has been slowly turned around.

Many islanders, including commuters, were tempted back onto the buses and passenger figures showed impressive growth over many years. The beneficiaries were not only the bus users themselves. Car drivers saw reduced congestion and the trend towards greater use of public transport obviously helped to achieve some of the States' environmental aims. The prospect of throwing all that away and returning to square one, with all that effort and investment wasted, is tragic – but it doesn't come as any real surprise.

No one should dismiss lightly the States' genuine need to save money but the fact that the current House – and in particular the Environment Department – sees the island's bus users as a very convenient soft target for those cuts has been clear for some time.

They were one of the first groups to suffer the consequences of the States' Financial Transformation Programme, with fares nearly doubling. That led to the first downturn in passenger numbers for years.

Sad though that was, it could be argued that everyone had to share the pain of balancing Guernsey's books. But it's striking that there was no 'private school'-style clause offering annual reviews of the impact to ensure future viability.

Now it seems as if an attempt to trim costs by a further £250,000 in the new contract, while still insisting on the retention of the most unprofitable services, has been the straw which broke the camel's back as far as Island Coachways is concerned.

They have walked away from what they regard as an impossible negotiation, leaving the future of Guernsey's buses in jeopardy.

Of course, a new deal with another operator could still emerge just in time, but it's all very worrying and last-minute and the States shows every sign of not being in control of the situation.

The irony is that this House had it in their grasp to achieve the twin objectives of improving the bus service and increasing usage as well as reducing the public subsidy.

The last States had approved the concept of bringing in paid parking for long-term car parks, with the income ring-fenced to help pay for and improve the bus service.

This virtuous circle would have seen better services and greater bus use as well as helping the States balance their books.

In the event, to avoid criticism from commuters, the new States bottled the decision and now the chickens are coming home to roost. It's a lesson the States should learn well for future difficult decisions. Taking the easy route to avoid immediate criticism usually only leads to bigger problems down the line.

So what should be done now? Clearly it's vital that Guernsey saves its bus service. Whether that's by reopening negotiations with Island Coachways on a more realistic basis or by courting a new operator and finding a new bus garage, it's hard to say.

What is clear is that the way in which the States reacts to this crisis will say a lot about the importance they attach to the 'little people' of Guernsey.

When air travel was at risk, the chief minister was straight in there to ensure the situation was remedied PDQ.

Will he react in the same way over this situation?

Certainly, someone needs to get a grip quickly or the States can kiss goodbye to both its social and environmental objectives.