This petition is to ask Cornwall Council to allocate funds to maintain the current service frequency of Route 79. Please sign it to keep our communities connected.

GO Cornwall are going to halve the frequency of the 79 bus service between Callington and Tavistock. The frequency will drop from hourly to two hourly. GO state that there are not enough passengers, and therefore fare revenue to pay for an hourly service. 

• Six years ago, the service was cut from half hourly to hourly.
• Service reductions lead to reduced passenger numbers
• Reduced passenger numbers ultimately lead to service cancellations.
• Gunnislake is an Air Quality Management Area. Reductions in bus services will increase traffic and air pollution. The Council's own Action Plan calls for increased frequency to reduce pollution.
• Residents who do not have cars will find it difficult to attend appointments at Health Centres or Hospitals.
• Cornwall Council have said people should cycle or walk more. Long steep hills in the Tamar Valley make this impractical for all but a small minority of the residents.
• The reliability of the service has fallen since the number of buses were last cut. At present, if one of the two buses breaks down, at least a minimal service is provided. With only one bus, the service ceases.

The reduction in service frequency is a result of discussions between GO and Cornwall Council. Residents and passengers have not been consulted. Passengers will struggle to make GO reverse the decision, as it has been taken for commercial reasons. However, residents may be able to pressure Cornwall Council into reallocating some of it's income to subsidise an hourly service by signing the petition.

Dorothy Kirk, our Cornwall Councillor has asked that people also email or write to the portfolio holder for Transport, Cllr Philip Desmonde, to protest against the cut and – importantly – to explain their reasons for doing so and to make their urgent demand for the retention and even an improvement of the service.
Cllr Desmonde's contact details are:
Email:
cllr.philip.desmonde@cornwall.gov.uk
Cllr. Philip Desmonde
Portfolio Holder for Transport
Cornwall Council
County Hall
TRURO
TR1 3AY