Glimmer of hope on the buses?

This morning I had a meeting with the Managing Director of First Bus in Bristol, Justin Davies. I have had dozens of angry e-mails about the company's plans to cut bus services from South Gloucestershire, especially the 'express' services that go down the M32. (The consultation document mysteriously failed to mention the extra half an hour that this would add to peoples' journeys). To add insult to injury, the Transport minister has just announced millions of pounds for 'showcase bus corridors' into Bristol, including one down the M32!

I had a constructive conversation with Mr. Davies this morning, and I get the impression that they are actually going to change their plans as a result of the negative feedback (what? - a consultation process that actually changes things - whatever next??).

For the longer term, I hope that the bus company will work more closely with local councils in future before announcing plans of this sort. Personally, I think public transport should be run as a public service rather than for private profit, but given the world we are living in I think at the very least it should be a partnership between the company and the councils.