MOMENTUM is building with a new petition to try and save Wiltshire’s Connect2 RUH bus service – also known as ‘the Hopper’. The online appeal has racked up 1,400 signatures in just over two weeks since it was started.
The online petition was set up following Wiltshire Council’s announcement this year that they would stop their £130,000 contribution to the service.
Independent Wiltshire councillors Terry Chivers and Jeff Osborne began the petition when it became clear that the service could not run without the council’s funding.
The councillors said, “We’re sure that we aren’t the only councillors who have received endless complaints from residents that rely on this vital service. Worried residents are wondering how they are going to reach their appointments at the RUH Bath.
“There’s little point expecting Link to pick this service up, Wiltshire Council has already cut their grant. We have this week launched a petition in support of the Bath RUH Hopper and we would like to invite residents to sign. We intend to present this to the next full council meeting in May.”
Regular Connect2 user, Tony Seager, voiced his disappointment at the council’s decision.
Tony said, “I have used the Hopper over 50 times to get to the RUH and I am shocked to think the council is going to axe it. It will cause a great deal of distress to myself and many patients in the West Wiltshire area at the moment served by the Hopper.”
Tony listed a number of individuals for whom the Connect2 service is safer, less stressful, and more comfortable than public transport. They included wheelchair users, people recovering from anaesthetic and surgery, chemotherapy patients, eye treatment patients, and pregnant women.
Tony continued, “The loss of this service will cause stress and hardship to many who are only using the service because they need medical help. The stress caused by the loss of the Hopper service is something that they could well do without.”
In response to concern from the public, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, John Thompson said, “Bus subsidies in Wiltshire are normally up to a maximum grant of £3.50 per trip. The grant per trip for the Connect2 is £10.70, on top of this passengers pay between £8.00 and £15.60 for return trips.
“The RUH has its own passenger support system operated by Arriva, which collects people who have difficulty using the public transport system to get to the hospital for appointments. In addition there is the excellent Link scheme which we also help fund.
“We are meeting with partners to investigate alternative ways of funding the [Hopper] service, and to make sure that we are making the best use of resources and not duplicating service provision, we will continue to provide updates as this work moves forward.
“Any changes will be subject to comprehensive consultation and it is likely changes will not be implemented until October 2015.”
Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have expressed concern at the stopping of the service on the grounds that there does not appear to be a suitable alternative.
In a formal comment the CCG said, “We understand that the Hopper service delivers 15,000 journeys each year to/from RUH and West/North Wiltshire, and 4,800 each year to/from GWH and North Wiltshire.
“The proposed cessation of the service does cause the CCG a significant degree of concern. If the Hopper service is removed, all those patients currently using it will need to find alternative means; or choose not to travel.
“The NHS-funded Patient Transport Service is funded to provide non-emergency transport but its use is restricted to those who meet nationally-defined eligibility criteria regarding mobility and medical condition. Thus some of those using the Hopper currently, may be ineligible.
“Similarly, the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme is only available for those in certain low income categories. Thus many of those using the Hopper currently, may be ineligible.
“We are concerned at the potential consequences of the proposal to remove the Hopper service, since currently there do not appear to be any suitable, appropriate, or funded, alternatives.”
The Connect2 bus service provides transport to Bath’s Royal United Hospital from towns and villages across Wiltshire, including Westbury, Bratton, Dilton Marsh, Edington, Hawkeridge, Heywood, Westbury Leigh and Erlestoke.
To sign the petition to save the service, go to
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/campaign-to-save-ruh-hopper-bus.
