Public transport to hospital is a disgrace!

[GarethB]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I never knew the Red Cross had a service.

Unfortunatly all need at least a weeks notice to book you in, but the local volunteer drivers came up trumps and found a driver within a couple of hours.

Louise; Hospital parking fees at my hospital are quite reasonable compared to most town centre car parks. The problem with this appointment I have to go 48 hours without my RGP's to allow the cornea to settle ready for the Kerasoft, so I am unable to drive.

Regarding an additional question regarding transport to hospitals for any future questionaire I think it is a good one.

I am now making a list of transport options to hospital that is available to us.

[John Smith]

Gareth,

You need to discover whether your cut bus service was a "registered" route (wholly commercial) or a local authority subsidised route.

It could be that the LA subsidise certain journeys on the route which is otherwise commerically run.

If the LA are involved at all, then you need to lobby them, as the bus company is behaving atrociously. If it's a commercial operation, then you have very little chance of success, other than by embarrassing the company concerned.

[GarethB]

The problem with finding this out from the bus company is that their enquiry line is either engaged or just rings and rings. Gave up yesterday after I let it ring for 10 minutes.

Not as if I can get a bus to the bus station! The closest stop is a five minute walk away from the depot where the enquirey office is.

Tried phoning in the evening and got a recorded message to phone during normal office hours between 10 am and 3 pm! To me office hours is 9 am to 5 pm!

[John Smith]

Well, in London, there would be plenty of enthusiasts' web sites listing such things.

Have you tried a net search for bus enthusiasts and your local company?

[GarethB]

I've heard of train spotters, plane spotters, tram spotters and EddieStobbart lorry spotters.

Why am I not surprised about the busses

[Louise Pembroke]

Have you heard of starship spotters?

[jayuk]

Nothing wrong with Eddit Stobart spotters!....Just rem to shout and point very loud when you see one on the motorway!

[GarethB]

Got a response from my MP today and I have just completed the consent form so that the full content of my e-mail to him can be sent to the relevant parties to try and get action.

My e-mail mentioned this group which he has asked for more information, so I have now sent him a link to the forum so he can see what we are about to help him understand why such issues are so very important to us.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

Regards

Citisen Wolfie Smith

[Pat A]

Gareth
That's great news - keep us posted. Who is your MP by the way?

Pat

[Louise Pembroke]

Might be worth linking into any wider campaigns on public transport to hospitals because this is an issue for many NHS patients not only us