RMT TO FIGHT OVER SOUTH WEST BUS SERVICE CUTS

R MT is linking up with the local community to fight bus service cuts in the South West after First Group plans to axe a series of lifeline routes this month that will cut off entire communities. First has confirmed that it will press ahead with the plans to seriously alter a total of nine routes with six withdrawn altogether, a move that local campaigners have said will lead to isolation, cutting off some communities like Mainstone completely. The planned cuts – which First blame on “increased competition” – will particularly hit older people, the poor and those with disabilities and make a mockery of a Transport Select Committee report this week that said that the government and bus companies should be doing more to increase access to transport services for disabled people. RMT is warning that the move on South West buses may be the start of a domino process that sees other services shut down or ripped to shreds as the floodgates are unleashed and bus companies dump routes and concentrate solely on the services that make them the most money. Yet First Group is an extremely wealthy company which made £90.7 million in operating profits from UK buses in 2012-13, contributing to £335 million in total operating profits for company as a whole. First currently has one-fifth share of the UK’s deregulated bus market worth over £4 billion ever year. They could easily afford to continue their services in the South West and to retain staff jobs on decent pay and conditions. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the savage cuts to services would decimate life- line services as bus companies wheel out a pack of excuses to justify cherry-picking the profitable routes. “The notion of buses as a public service is alien to the likes of First whose only interest is money and the situation that is developing in the South West only fuels the argument for public ownership to protect those who rely on buses to get about,” he said. The Commons Transport Committee said recently that bus companies should actively expand access for people with disabilities. “RMT will step up our campaigning work with the communities standing up and fighting these cuts,” said RMT assistant general secretary Mick Cash. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2013 :: RMTnews 12 RMT TO FIGHT SOUTH WEST BUS SERVICE CUTS