Small operators fill rural services gap
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• North Western Road Car Co Ltd axed several unremunerative rural bus services in the Peak district of Derbyshire on January 1. However, on two of the ex-North Western routes—Ashbourne to Buxton and Bakewell to Buxton—local coach operators have started to run their own services.
One operator, Mr Alec Holmes, of Hartington, has been running his 42-seater coach from the village to Buxton at peak periods for three weeks. He told CM this week: "North Western went wrong by trying to offer a two-hourly service. There is not enough demand in a rural area like this. I started operating the services on January 1, catering for commuters and school children. By offering two services in the morning and two in the evening, I am making a profit."
Mr John Mycock, proprietor of Lathkill Coaches. Monyash, also started to operate peak period and market day services three weeks ago. "On some fares I am charging less than the North Western did, and attracting more passengers," he said. "Soon there is going to be a demand for this type of service and I advise any operators who have the chance to give it a try."