Connex dial-a-bus trial is off to a very slow start

Monday 18th April 2005, 12:00AM BST.

ONLY one or two people a day are using the Connex dial-a-bus trial being run in the western parishes.

Connex have spent about £20,000 on setting up and running the service so far, but they have only taken £110 in fares in the 51 days of operation.

All of that money will be paid to the States.

Environment and Public Services Committee member Deputy Guy de Faye, who is responsible for devising the Island’s bus strategy, said: ‘It doesn’t take a genius to work out that it’s losing money.’ The scheme, named MyBus Connexion, serves St Brelade, St Ouen and areas of St Peter and allows residents to book a bus at least two hours before they want to travel.

Demand has been very low, but Connex are putting a brave face on it and saying that the passengers who have used the service have responded very positively to it.

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