News
Pioneers celebrate 10th Birthday for Wigglybus
19 July 1999
Pioneering passengers celebrate a turning point for rural transport.
Wigglybus was not just ground-breaking for Wiltshire but signalled a completely new approach for rural public transport for rural England.
Losing a first rate name is a shame but to gain the possibility of taxi bus extensions to reach new neighbourhoods and grow the Connect2 services so that they are tempting to more people is not just a wish but a must.
Letter to Gazette and Herald here.
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Passengers wait patiently in all weathers
23 March 2009
A strong gust of wind damaged the bus shelter by Devizes cinema last winter. Three months on and passengers still have to wait in all weathers. Not the sort of treatment to attract motorists out of their cars.
Kennet Passengers discovered from Devizes Town Council that the shelter was not covered by their insurance and that members will need to consider replacing the £8,500 shelter when they meet after Easter.
We hope that before the weather turns nasty members will find the cash to support their green credentials and find a replacement that is less prone to wind damage and properly insured.
What's in it for the Town Council? Less traffic on the busiest days of the week! Plus lots of happy shoppers supporting Devizes who know that their shopping, babies in push chairs and wheel chair users will be kept dry AND they will have somewhere for their new timetables when published in April.
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Cycling round Wiltshire with a fridge... for a good cause
18 March 2009
Two intrepid cyclists are dragging a washing machine round Wiltshire and Swindon for two weeks in May in aid of Refurbiz. 
Find out how you can support a good cause AND sustainable transport from the comfort of your desk chair here!
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Forum seeks greater priority for public transport from new Wiltshire Council
2nd March 2009
A wide range of users of public transport generated searching questions put to Ian White, passenger transport manager at Wiltshire County Council and David Gillett, Connect2Wiltshire manager. On health users wanted to know whether the NHS had held meetings with Wiltshire's transport section before decisions were made about location of new services.
The answer revealed poor communication between both parties. Wiltshire were keen to hold discussions with the NHS, as a major developer, at the earliest opportunity. The new NHS campus on the edge of Devizes appeared to bring an opportunity to improve town services.
Too many answers to modest suggestions came down to lack of funds. But many questions demanded answers about more integration of thought, better consultation and higher quality information. The overall feeling was that:
a. there was a lack of priority for public transport which meant that the network could never function at optimum level,
b. the forum provided an imaginative and affordable opportunity to communicate with users and potential users - the very market that could drive up patronage for the services they wanted to shape, and
c. recent decisions to change or cut services did not have the benefit of consultations with users prior.
Those discussing a changes of attitude towards public transport felt that public transport in Wiltshire would be transformed if councillors were forced to give up their cars.
Are candidates for new Wiltshire Council listening to that challenge?
A summary of the 6 discussion groups will be published shortly.
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Did You Know? Kennet Passengers' film now on YouTube
18 Febuary 2009
The video "Did you know?" shows interviews with the public about the need for face to face travel information.
Connection to YouTube out of order. Please connect to YouTube here.
Of course, we all know that there are gaps in the network but when asked, very few people knew about regular bus links to Pewsey Station, hospital transport, late night buses to Bath or how to get rail information unless they were on line.
Devizes does not have the transport visibility of a railway station, bus station, or warm waiting room where people naturally congregate to find out about their travel options, tickets, rail access, or voluntary schemes.
The video makes it evident that a specialist travel information desk is vital to the daily life of Devizes and beyond.
The video also points out that the beauty of a travel advice desk is that it can pick up the travel gaps in the network and then act as an intermediary between users and service providers.
The positive support for a special travel and ticketing desk by visitors, business and residents is not surprising.
Click here for more videos on the Kennet Passenger's YouTube Channel.
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Passenger forum to grow public transport
9 Febuary 2009
A passenger forum to held on 25 February will discuss ways of growing public transport at Devizes Town Hall at 7.30pm with a panel of transport operators and other professionals. "Public transport is the life-blood of our local towns and villages. This is your chance to contribute to growing our services," said the Event Coordinator. 
Discussions groups will cover 7 themes:
Evening and week-end services
Access to rail heads and ticketing
Getting from villages to market towns and beyond
Commuting to main centres
Access to health facilities
Devizes town services
Tempting car users onto public transport.
Groups will then put their questions to the panel. The purpose of this event is to bring the evidence for areas of change and find ways of giving greater priority to public transport.
"Sometimes barriers to growing public transport can be as simple as asking the local authority to improve travel information. But sometimes it is a wider question: making sure that Government mean what they say when it comes to valuing our rural communities and giving us choices about getting about without damaging the climate more than we absolutely have to."
Past events by Kennet Passengers have led to new services such as the new taxi-bus to Pewsey Station.
Space is limited so booking is advisable. For an invitation to the Open Forum please click here.
SPECIAL OFFER! FREE TRANSPORT TO THE FORUM.
Call 01380 723129 quoting "Kennet Passengers Event" by 16 February and leave your details.
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Seasonal changes to Connect2 Wiltshire services
24 December 2008
There will be some timetable changes over Christmas and New Year: please link here for further information.
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Devizes Town Council supports a One Stop Shop for Travel Information in Devizes
11 November 2008
Devizes Town Council agreed to back Kennet Passengers' initiative for a specialist travel centre in Devizes based on their feasibility study if based at the Devizes Visitor Centre. Members appreciated that public transport needs a higher profile in Devizes and that trends in traffic need to be curtailed. The scheme would have a far wider benefit than just Devizes and members expected the County Council to give their backing.
It was appreciated that the transitional stage towards a unitary authority was not good timing and that Town Council support at the start up stage of a travel advice desk was important. Cllr Chris Callow was appointed to liaise with the passenger group's working party on behalf of the Town Council but the Council wanted further details prior to committing resources.
The decision moves Kennet Passengers a step nearer to fulfilling their ambitions for one stop shop for travel information (or 'virtual station') for Devizes.
"This is good news for the town and good news for buses," said Kate Freeman, Chairman of Kennet Passengers. "We don't have a railway station, nor do we have a bus station in the town. So we need to do all we can to raise the profile of public transport by other means. A one stop travel centre is bound to raise the profile of Devizes too. but there's a lot of work ahead. By working together I hope this travel desk will become one those win-win situations that we will all come to value as part of our daily lives."
The feasibility study report is strongly supported by a public opinion survey that was overwhelmingly in favour of the initiative. It also found that people wanted better information about how to access NHS treatment and entitlements for help with travel costs. You can see what people thought on the video that accompanies the group's report "Did you know?".
Kennet Passengers have worked towards a travel centre for Devizes since 2006. Their partners include Community First and now the Town Council. You can read the report here.
Service 33 to Chippenham and Calne: Going down!
1 September 2008
Residents in Calne will be pleased to see that service 33 will soon be going down in the world. In response to local demand operator APL is preparing two new wheelchair accessible high capacity vehicles for route number 33 and X33 from Devizes to Chippenham and Calne.
Owner Alan Legg said: "I feel terribly sorry for those less able bodied people who find it difficult to get on the 33 bus and we are making every effort to make all our buses disabled friendly." Proprietor Mr Legg is building up a fleet of low floor buses and pointed out to those who wish to see a more frequent service that this is proving difficult without extra public funding from the County Council.
NEW VIDEO: People explain why a travel information desk in Devizes matters
19 July 2008
The video "Did you know?" shows interviews with the public. Of course, we all know that there are gaps in the network but when asked, very few people knew about regular bus links to Pewsey Station, hospital transport, late night Devizes buses or late night Bath buses. The video makes it evident that a specialist travel information desk is vital to the daily life of Devizes and beyond.
The video also points out that the beauty of a travel advice desk is that it can pick up the travel gaps in the network and then act as an intermediary between users and service providers.
The positive support for a special travel and ticketing desk by visitors, business and residents is not surprising. Devizes does not have the transport visibility of a railway station, bus station, or warm waiting room where people naturally congregate to find out about their travel options, tickets, rail access, or voluntary schemes.
What people said: "That would be very good for the town." "It's face to face contact that's so important." "It would save an awful lot of messing around." "That would be brilliant." What do you think?
TAKE ACTION! If you share Kennet Passengers' vision for a travel information desk we would like to hear from you! Thank you for your support.
Find out more about Kennet Passengers' feasibility study for a travel information station. See Community First's article below.
Feasibility study for Travel Information Station for Devizes draws positive conclusions
14 April 2008
Kennet Passengers have completed their feasibility study for what they have dubbed "a travel information station2 for Devizes. The front page article opposite describes the study in greater detail [opens in new window].
The project team have consulted widely and will report on their findings at a public meeting later in the year.
The report will be accompanied by a video. Please contact us here if you would like to be kept informed, invited to our next presentation or Open Passenger Forum.
"Concessionary fares is a shambles" claim TravelWatch South West
12 April 2008
TravelWatch South West, the region's public transport user body, reports that the new national concessionary fares scheme launched on 1 April has disappointed tens of thousands of South West residents, "despite two years to prepare for the introduction of the scheme". Read more in TravelWatch South West's News Log here (links to outside window)
Kennet Passengers has received mixed reactions: complaints from some Kennet residents about long delays forcing users to be restricted to Wiltshire's boundaries if they are lucky enough to already have a buspass. Newcomers to the scheme have hd to wait even longer - but some have been surprised by the speed.
The Gazette and Herald reports dissatisfaction in North Wiltshire as a "central government cock up" . You can read the article here (opens in new window).
National voice for bus users
10 April 2008
The Government has announced that Passenger Focus will become the first independent bus and coach consumer watchdog across England (excluding London). Press release here (opens in new window).
Bus Users UK redefines its role and will work closely with Passenger Focus. Read more here. (Opens in new window)
To represent bus users' interests Passenger Focus have undertaken to gather evidence and work with regional and local bus groups.
"This is a historic breakthrough for bus users ," said Kennet Passengers. "Passengers in England suffer from a two tier network: first class services in some priveleged urban areas but second, third or fourth rate services elsewhere. Bus passengers have been under represented for far too long. Passenger Focus can bring their rail passenger experience to bus users' advantage."
New adventures, new bus pass holders
10 April 2008
Story 1: Read more about two adventurous women who plan to embark on a 700 miles across England on a bus pass here. (Opens in new window).
Story 2: Richard Elloway's fund raising journey took him from Lands End to John o' Groats in one week, six hours and ten minutes, cost nothing, involved getting on and off nearly 40 different buses and evoked a particularly British form of heroism. Read more here. (Opens in new window)
Story 3: Explore National Trust properties by bus: You can read more about access to National Trust properties in the Gazette and Herald here (opens in new window).
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Freedom to travel across England by bus free
10 April 2008
1st April was not for fools but marked a historic moment for wise bus users: those aged 60 or over and for those with disabilities. From the beginning of this month people can travel free of charge across England at off peak times in England.
Off-peak hours are 09:30 am until 11:00 pm Monday to Friday, and all weekends and bank holidays.
Many services in Wiltshire are exempt of this restriction. Full details here (opens in new window). The same might be true elsewhere in the country - makes it complicated but worth investigating.
London buses are included (but not the underground). Scotland and Wales have their own bus pass schemes.
Application forms for bus passes are available from Kennet District Council or from Devizes Visitor Centre. Forms and guidance notes can be found here (opens in new window).
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NEW number for ALL Connect2 services: 08456 52 52 55
30 March 2008
As Connect2 Wiltshire bus services have grown so have the number of telephone numbers. To overcome the problem Wiltshire County Council have launched a single local call rate booking line.
Please select this link for list of options that you will be asked for when you get through. Some users have blessed it others have found it complicated. What do you think?
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NEW PASSENGERS' NEWSLOG! Catchup with the transport scene at TravelWatch South West here
24 March 2008
TravelWatch South West, Kennet Passengers' regional umbrella organsation, have published a regular newslog on their website. Kennet and Beyond editors will be watching out for some interesting snippets. You can read some heady stuff about train strikes and perfuming buses.
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"Save £80, commute by bus," advises former mayor
7 February 2008
Did you know that commuting by bus can save you as much as £80? A delighted former Devizes mayor Don Jones, reported the following:
"Dear Kennet Passengers,
I'm back on the 49 now and I'm pleased to see that it doesn't stop everywhere in Wroughton at peak times.
It's also all double-deckers so there's no trouble getting a seat.
The fare is £17 per week with a Goldrider. Park and Ride would be £10 per week and fuel about £5 a day.
I estimate that getting the 49 saves me about £70 - £80 a month in fuel and parking alone.
If you take into account the cost of buying and running another car, the figure is closer to £250 a month.
Regards,
Don"
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Travel information display foxes visitors
31 January 2008
A display at Devizes Visitor Centre by Kennet Passengers promotes this website and tests visitors' knowledge about local transport. Many were caught out by the three main questions and did not know about the rail link to Pewsey Station from Devizes nor about the late night buses to Bath.
The Exhibition is open from 4th February to 27th February
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Government announces intention to appoint champion for bus passengers ... but will it help rural areas?
12 November 2007
Government plans to set up a statutory voice for bus users. This is an important step forward for all bus users. As far as Kennet Passengers is aware there is no other deregulated service which does not give service users a right to be heard.
Legislation of deregulation of bus services in 1985 did not make provision for a statutory voice for its service users.
Kennet Passengers responded to the Government's Draft Local Transport Bill urging Government to consider a statutory voice for bus users managed on a local basis. "We agree with the Select Committee that it should not just be a voice for making complaints," they said. Select link for reaction by here for reaction by Campaign for Better Transport (formerly Transport 2000).
Kennet Passengers also made a strong case for the draft Bill to include better rural public transport. Full response here.
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Connect2 Wiltshire direct service - and passes the Woodborough test
8 November 2007
Bus user Mrs Mizen who had complained that she had to visit Woodborough 4 times to visit her mother in Pewsey wrote to the Gazette and Herald this week to report that she can now travel to Pewsey thanks to the new direct services laid on by an experimental taxishare.
The taxishare operation is part of Wiltshire's evolving family of Connect2Wiltshire flexible services. Further information about this promising service by ringing 01380 723129 or linking to the new Connect2Wiltshire website here. (Opens in new window)
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Did you know... You can travel by taxi for 3.60 from Devizes to Pewsey station? But can it last?
1 November 2007
Connect2Wiltshire have launched a Rail Link taxi service from Devizes and the Line 1 area each Monday - Friday. Taxis can connect you with the 0722 and 1017 trains to London at Pewsey and connect you with the 1826 and 1838 at Pewsey from London. The normal taxi fare for this trip runs at around 20.
Call the operator (Devizes Taxis) on 01380 723129 for details and booking.
Kennet Passengers would like to see this succeed. However this is a 6 month trial and something of a well kept secret so please pass the word around!
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Connect2 Wiltshire succeeds Wigglybus but fails Woodborough test
8 November 2007
Getting a direct service from Nursteed Road Devizes to Pewsey to see her mother challenged Mrs Mizen, reported the Gazette and Herald more>> (Opens in new window)
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The Big Think gets people thinking
21 June 2007
Kennet Passengers teamed up with Devizes Festival to launch the Devizes Festival with The Big Think on 6th June at Devizes Town Hall.
On the panel chaired by David Garmston of BBC Points West and The Politic's show: Nick Hurd MP, son of former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, and specialist on Cameron's Climate Change group, social attitudes expert Kris Beuret OBE and Jason Torrance, Campaigns Director for Transport 2000.
The three big thinkers grappled with the threat of global warming and stimulated controversial views from the audience Read more here>> (Opens in new window)
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WiltshireandBeyond.co.uk website comes alive!
20th June 2007
"Information holds the key to getting about by public transport" claims the Group's chair. "How often do good intentions fall at the first hurdle and leave you reaching for the car keys for want of information?" Kate asked as she introduced WiltshireandBeyond travel information website. "We want the first step to be the easiest step!"
Nick Hurd was all in favour of action that helped going green easier. He pressed the button to switch on our new travel information website at The Big Think debate.
The website has been a year in incubuation and The Big Think audience were invited to explore the newly hatched family of four community area websites, and their parent website.
The organisers are appealing for enthusiasts to step forward to lend a hand, send in feedback about the website, and help the editorial team... if you are interested please select this link and let us know!
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7 years on Wigglybus successor secure but provokes debate
2 July 2007
The Wiltshire Wigglybus, a community-led rural public transport experiment of national significance faced its most stringent test yet: loss of the Department for Transport's Rural Bus Challenge grant, which had sparked considerable uncertainty amongst users who had come to rely on the Wigglybus services over the last seven years.
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| Children show their wiggly impressions to Minister of Transport, former actress Glenda Jackson at the launch of Wiltshire's first genration of Wigglybuses in the Pewsey Vale on 19th July 1999. |
Wiltshire County Council had reviewed Wigglybus services and agreed that it was promising enough to fit with its stringent budget and will let a further 5-year contract for 3 out of the 4 buses.
At a recent meeting of the community's Pewsey Vale Marketing Group (PVMG), users told Wiltshire's Public Transport Unit that Wigglybus must not become a service of last resort and that this would be contrary to its founding vision. Use is running between 6000 and 7000 passengers per month and the community group feared that this figure could dwindle as a result and start a downward spiral. The services are expected to broadly follow current patterns in the first year and WCC wanted to start the new contract as soon as possible. Kennet Passengers had carried out extensive market research which revealed that people wanted more direct routes and be able to get to the railway station. More time would be required in order to develop the kinds of ideas that could grow the services.
The Council agreed that the new tender would be done in such a way that the community could help shape the services at a later stage. WCC agreed to fund Kennet Passengers up to £5,000 to complete their investigations and come up with proposals. If the consultation is in favour of the results this could lead to changes to improve services the following year.
Full statement and proposal here.
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Connect2 Wiltshire to replace the Wigglybus brand
2 July 2007
A sticking point has been the transition from "Wigglybus" to "Connect2Wiltshire". The Pewsey Vale Marketing Group felt that after 8 years of investment the brand should not be thrown away.
The community group's priority is to ensure that Wigglybus meets the needs of as many people as possible to a high standard, but they would also like Wiltshire to find a way of commemorating their historic brand rooted in the community's own history.
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Can buses help ease Devizes' traffic?
31 May 2007
The call for a bypass for Devizes is rejected by Wiltshire County Council according to a recent report in the Gazette and Herald (opens in new window). But is it surprising that the cry goes up for a bypass when so little has been done to stem the growth of traffic along the approach roads in and out of Devizes?
Do you think that a more frequent bus service to Swindon, Salisbury and Chippenham would help ease the traffic? Or to the railway stations? Or should there be better connections with the Town Bus Service? Let us know your views.
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