High Peak Buses have just announced that they are changing the 185/186 bus route, cutting off Hapur Hill from the service.
The operator have announced that the service is “under review” and that that there is “currently no demand for an increase in service.”
The service has been increasingly unreliable partly due to driver shortages and congestion from the many roadworks around Buxton recently. As a result, the bus has often run very late or not run at all, leaving many local residents stranded and caused children to be repeatedly late for school.
This has led to falling passenger numbers and the service struggling to cover its operating costs. High Peak Buses have now announced that they will be reviewing the 185/186 bus and making a change to the route.
The service will continue to shuttle between Buxton Market and Fairfield every half hour, but will stop serving Harpur Hill from 12 December.
High Peak MP Robert Largan and Councillor Linda Grooby have now launched a campaign to “Save the 185 Bus”to demonstrate support and demand for the service.
Residents can sign the petition at www.robertlargan.co.uk/savethe185
Both Councillor Grooby and Mr Largan have been in discussions with Derbyshire County Council and High Peak Buses about the poor service over the last few months.
Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:
“The 185/186 is a vital lifeline for many Buxton residents, especially in Fairfield and Harpur Hill. With all the new houses being built in the area, I believe it would be a big mistake to cut this service based on passenger numbers during a period of disruption, especially after I successfully secured an additional £47million of Government funding for a local Bus Improvement Plan.
“We must not get into a vicious circle of an unreliable service causing falling passenger numbers causing service reductions causing further falling passenger numbers causing further service reductions.
“Linda and I have launched a petition to demonstrate that there is strong demand for the 185/186 bus service. I strongly urge all residents to sign our petition to help save our local service!”
Linda Grooby, Councillor for Buxton North & East and Chair of Harpur Hill Residents Association, commented:
“I am appalled about the proposed changes to the 185/186 bus which will cut off my residents in Harpur Hill. I will be working closely with Robert Largan MP to oppose these cuts and fight to save the 185 bus!”
