Bus company boss hits back at MP over criticism

5 hours ago

Neve Gordon-Farleigh

News image — Charles Sanders said various improvements to services had been made

Martin Giles/BBC Charles Sanders is wearing a white shirt and blue tie, which has brown and white dots on it. He is sitting in a passenger seat on a bus. He is also wearing glasses. — Charles Sanders said various improvements to services had been made

An MP has become embroiled in a war of words with a local bus provider over provision of services in his constituency.

North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Steffan Aquarone said he had spent the past two years fighting "tirelessly" for more frequent buses, and earlier and later services.

However, Charles Sanders, who runs Sanders Coaches in Norfolk, said the MP did not appreciate the improvements already made.

"He's trying to make a point but he's not doing it in the right way," said Sanders.

"Of course there are areas of North Norfolk that don't have an adequate bus service because you just can't do absolutely everything."

Martin Giles/BBC The front of a yellow Sanders bus. In the sign at the top it says 'Norwich express via Coltishall X55'. Either side of the bus are bus shelters. — Norfolk County Council said that since 2022, there had been a 26% increase in passenger numbers

Speaking to Chris Goreham on BBC Radio Norfolk, Sanders said: "There's been masses of changes.

"We run every half an hour from North Walsham to Norwich — it used to be hourly. We run buses from Sheringham to Cromer to Norwich every half an hour... I think we've done as much as we can with the little money that was made available to Norfolk."

He pointed out that the fare cap was still £3, no matter the journey.

Coastal services for tourists were also running later, he added.

In January, Norfolk County Council said its Bus Service Improvement Plan had transformed public transport and had seen a 26% increase in passenger numbers since 2022.

Reform UK won control of the council from the Conservatives in May.

Paul Moseley/BBC Steffan Aquarone standing in front of green foliage outdoors. He is wearing a blue blazer with a yellow lanyard round his neck. He is looking directly at the camera and smiling. — Steffan Aquarone said more public investment was needed

On social media, Aquarone wrote: "Life's short to miss the bus... That's why I've spent my first two years as an MP fighting tirelessly for better buses.

"More frequent. Earlier and later services. Getting people where they need to be."

Aquarone also said it should not fall on individual bus operators to solve the problem - it needed investment and funding from the "public purse".

"The fare cap has been very successful at driving numbers," said the MP.

"We need to rethink the way we approach rural public transport.

"There is an unmet demand and if we increase and improve bus frequency and bus services, people will use them more often."

He said the improvements were not "scratching the surface", adding: "I will not apologise for demanding better for my constituents."