Council leaders have met with Trentbarton today (July 11) to discuss a solution following backlash over the decision to scrap the 141 bus service. The company plans to cut the service from September 4.
The bus provides a route which connects in Sutton-in-Ashfield Hucknall, Mansfield and Nottingham. Trentbarton has said the 141 service has been struggling since the pandemic.
They had previously reduced its activity in the evening but due to the route not receiving sufficient customers they have decided to withdraw the route altogether from September. Now, Councillor Clarke MBE, Chairman of the Transport and Environment committee at Nottinghamshire County Council has met with Trentbarton’s management team.
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Today’s meeting continues the dialogue between Nottinghamshire County Council and the bus operator Trentbarton, with the aim of finding an alternative solution for local people. This service is currently supported by a subsidy from the County Council of £35k a year.
Councillor Neil Clarke said: “I organised and chaired a meeting today with senior Trentbarton representatives and local county and district councillors to discuss the 141 service. The meeting was very constructive and whilst we recognise the commercial decision taken to stop the service, we also know how important this bus route is.
"That’s why we are progressing with work to explore other options to provide sustainable bus services in this area.”
Stanton Hill and Teversal Councillor Helen-Ann Smith said: “It is my belief that Trentbarton have deliberately run down the 141 bus service as an excuse to axe the service altogether.
"I am a regular bus user and the amount of time the bus just hasn’t turned up in Stanton Hill is ridiculous. It has been extremely badly run – if the 141 turned up at all it was always late. We need to work together to find a solution."
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council for the Ashfield Independents, added: “The ball is now in Nottinghamshire County Council’s court – Trentbarton admit that they will look at again at this decision if the subsidy goes up.
"We look forward to the alternatives but still have concerns that the County Council will be too slow to act. Like Trentbarton’s bus service however – their interest is better late than never.
"We would like to thank the close to 3500 residents who have signed our petition to demand action now. If it wasn’t for our petition – Conservative Transport Bosses would simply have done nothing."
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