Swindon bus company Thamesdown has announced it will no longer run its R1 service between the town and Royal Wootton Bassett.
The company introduced its new route during May this year in response to local demand, but the number of passengers travelling on the R1 dropped, after a promising start.
“When we created the R1, we did so after listening to the views of local people who felt they needed an improvement on existing services here,” said Thamesdown general manager, Alex Chutter.
“We introduced the route at our own cost, and were very happy with feedback from those travelling on the R1 with us. But this popularity prompted another local operator to increase the frequency of its number 55 service, also serving Royal Wootton Bassett.
“That meant too many buses serving the same area, and fewer people travelling on each vehicle - something we just could not sustain for the longer term. There weren’t enough users to cover our operating costs.
“In view of this, we have taken the decision to de-register the R1, and withdraw it from Sunday 22 October.
“With the 55 route currently serving the area every 10 minutes, we do not expect this move to have a detrimental effect on bus passengers here.”
For more information about Thamesdown, please visit swindonbus.co.uk
Your Comments
Not at all surprised , stagecoach has done a great service to Royal wootten Basset +Chippenham for a long time .why can't you increase buses for okus area or round park north + south to the hospital where their are a high no of elderly who require transport to drs , shops + the hospital please .
Posted: 29 August 2017, 12.48PM by: Isabel Matthews
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