14 Oct 2023
Villagers are up in arms over the loss of a crucial bus service they relied on for access to key local facilities.
The axing of the Centrebus 366 service from Luton to Hatfield via Welwyn Garden City has been keenly felt in Harpenden, Batford and Wheathampstead where many residents relied on it for shopping, station main library, cinema, and to reach the QEII and Lister hospitals.
User Janice Parke said: “I don’t understand why there is so little interest in providing a bus service from Luton to Hatfield when there are so many individuals and organisations calling for its restoration. This is an historic service connecting many communities along its route, and was withdrawn very suddenly and without consultation.
“When a route is closed in this way it makes a mockery of the bus pass initiative and leaves older citizens with a sense of disempowerment. This is not to say that young families and children do not feel deprived when losing this service but high bus fares must have been a deterrent in them becoming frequent users.
“Politicians are giving mixed messages about car usage but for many citizens public transport is the only option and when this is a bus service it should be reliable, easy to access and cover at least six days of the week.
“The 366 has suffered, over recent years, from cuts in frequency, the loss of weekend provision and an impenetrable timetable. The provider made no attempt to market the service or undertake consumer surveys, no wonder passenger numbers were not increasing.
“A public meeting – at very short notice – was held after a Wheathampstead Parish Council meeting in and approximately 40 people attended representing u3a [University of the Third Age], the parish church, the Women’s Institute and those with special needs, several weeks ago. County Cllr Annie Brewster was at this meeting and was very sympathetic to the loss of service and said she would explore various ways of getting the service restored.
“Now the transport officer for HCC has informed us that an operator cannot be found to take over the service as it is not considered financially viable. Meanwhile a different operator, Intalink, has moved in and provides a half-hourly shuttle service between Luton and Hatfield University, via Wheathampstead but failing to link with Welwyn Garden City or Harpenden.”
Wheathampstead resident Pat Patterson added: “From our discussions with the parish council it seems likely that the issue is the funding, yet the new X10 service runs seven days a week and seems mainly for university students at Luton and Hatfield.
“Do they attend seven days a week and have so much money spent on this service? The 366 bus runs only about 8 o’clock in the morning and 4 o’clock in the afternoon. This is only convenient for pupils who do regular school hours not those at college who do irregular times. We only want a couple more buses morning and afternoon.
“People living in this village have to embark on a series of strategies for going into Welwyn using family, friends and car-sharing. The cost of a taxi is approximately £14 each way. This must have an impact on Welwyn Garden City as it is used for sport and leisure facilities and shopping.”
Parish councillor Anne Howie has been fighting to restore the service: “The loss of the service has affected people getting to hospital appointments, those wanting to shop in Welwyn Garden City and also those trying to get to work and to college and university.
“The 366 also provided a link with the train service to London from WGC and Hatfield. Its loss affects all sections of our community.
“Wheathampstead is endeavouring to become a more sustainable village and public transport is an integral part of this and we fully support the campaign to get the service reinstated.”
A Centrebus spokesperson said: “Due to low passengers numbers, the service did not cover its operating costs.
“Discussions took place with Hertfordshire County Council in order to try to secure an alternative operator, however these were unsuccessful so we therefore regrettably made the decision to withdraw the service with the exception of one journey from Welwyn Garden City into Luton in the morning peak and from one journey back from Luton to Welwyn Garden City in the afternoon.
“These journeys are operated primarily for the pupils attending Roundwood Park and Katherine Warrington Schools and also include an extra journey on Friday afternoon to allow for the earlier finish at Katherine Warrington, after which the bus returns to Roundwood Park for their pupils. Members of the public are allowed to travel on these services.
This was not a decision that we had taken lightly, however without adequate funding, it was not possible for us to increase the number of journeys on the route.”
