Sompting in the air
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FORMER Sussex bus conductor Peter Osmond who hoped to start his own bus service between Southwick and Sompting in Sussex had a noisy reception when he put his proposals to a public meeting held last week in Shoreham, reports BRIAN CHALMERS-HUNT.
Though many people supported Mr Osmond, there was ;oncern that the proposed route :losely followed the existing 211 Southdown route which could mean that it would be withdrawn after many years of attempts to get it established.
Mr Osmond said he would Praw up a revised route which Nould not run in competition Nith the 221 service, and try to lold another meeting to gauge -eaction.
If approved, Mr Osmond said hat if he then obtained council ;upport he would apply to the fraffic Commissioners.
Several speakers at the Shorelam meeting were worried Mr ismond, currently working as a ;torekeeper with Seeboard, did lot have 'enough information ;bout projected passenger reiuirements, operating costs, Ind traffic demands particularly is there are three schools along he route. There was also concern that Mr Osmond lacked the requisite operational and management experience.
Mr Osmond has not disclosed the name of the mysterious financial backer for his proposed service, but it is understood that he is a Hastings haulier who has not previously been involved in public transport.
Mr Osmond said that his backer was prepared to provide £50,000 for the buying of six 21or 29-seat second-hand singledeckers and for initial running costs. In the last financial year Southdown's 221 service had to be subsidised to the tune of £23,981.
The ex-bus conductor still believes his service will be viable, though his fares will undercut Southdown's by charging either a fixed fare of between 20p and 25p along the route or between 2p and 4p off the Southdown fare schedule. The equivalent