News from Plymouth Labour

Plymouth’s hospital workers fear for jobs after loss of bus services

Labour Councillor, Nicky Williams, has warned that following the decision to withdraw bus services in the evenings and weekends hospital staff may have to give up work because they are unable to get home.

Nicky said: “This problem was brought to my attention by a worker at the hospital who attended my surgery. She works shifts and serves the evening meal to patients, she told me that she is one of approximately 30 people she knows that rely on public transport to get to and from work. The removal of the bus service, which serves Honicknowle means that on a Sunday and on bank holidays she would be stranded. The cost of catching a taxi means that it is not worth her while to go to work on those days.

“This is a terrible situation and does not only effect my ward. People across the City are in a similar situation. I know of people who work on the Estover Industrial Estates who are looking for alternative employment because bus services have been stopped. We have to remember that nearly a 1/3 of people in Plymouth do not own a car, so the removal of bus services, especially when they serve employment hubs such as the hospital or industrial estates is going to have a significant impact.

“Of course it is not only workers that will be affected by the loss of bus services. Those who wish to visit relatives in hospital on a Sunday or a bank holiday may find that they are unable to get there by public transport. Given the problems with parking already on the hospital site this is a ridiculous situation. I will be calling on the Council to urgently speak with the Bus Companies to see if a solution can be found to this problem.”

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• Plymouth Labour launches 2012 City Council manifesto - 26 March 2012