PETITION: To ask Arriva to change its proposals for Houghton Regis bus services from 18th June 2017. Change.Org
Background
From 18th June 2017, Arriva has announced that the A service will no longer serve Houghton Regis (see note 1). Arriva say they will change the routing of the Z bus service so that it will no longer serve Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, and Parkside Drive (from its junction with Windsor Drive to a point past Enfield Close), and instead run its service via the A5505 and Parkside Drive through to its junction with Sundon Road.
It was further announced that the 38 service is to be discontinued, and the 33 bus service will serve those disenfranchised roads - Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, and Parkside Drive (from its junction with Windsor Drive to a point past Enfield Close) - and take passengers only as far as Bedford Square, Houghton Regis (note 2). Also, the 33 will not travel to L&D Hospital, as the 38 does now.
These are the main grievances which this petition seeks Arriva to address, to bring about the best outcomes for passengers and the bus company.
1. The changes will disadvantage residents living in cul-de-sacs off Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, Parkside Drive up to Enfield Close. The proposals will take away their direct bus service to and from the L&D Hospital, and take away their bus service to and from Dunstable town centre. This will affect the disabled and elderly hardest.
2. Initial feedback to announced changes to timetables for A and Z services indicate that: 2.1 There will be confusion over whether an A bus from Luton will be travelling all the way to Houghton Regis or not.
2.2 There will be confusion over whether a Z bus from Houghton Regis will be going to Luton Airport, to Luton Interchange, or just to Dunstable Asda.
To resolve the issues:
3. To suggest to Arriva that at least some of the Z buses are routed every hour via the old route (Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, and Parkside Drive (from its junction with Windsor Drive to a point past Enfield Close)). This would restore a direct service for that catchment area to such places as Morrisons Houghton Regis, L&D Hospital, and Luton Airport (note 1).
4. To save drivers being repetitively asked by passengers about the destinations of A and Z buses, Arriva is asked to consider how best to mitigate this problem, such as the introduction of destination-specific numbers.
*Petition drawn up by Alan Winter,
note 1: currently proposed by Arriva after June 18th - the Z may or may not, change to an A at Asda Dunstable, and then may or may not continue all the way to Luton Airport; and that an A from Luton
Airport may or may not travel to Asda Dunstable, may or may not continue to Houghton Regis as a Z.
Arriva timetables A-Z
note 2: In the other direction the 33 travels to Luton town centre. Timetable 33
Public comments made on Houghton Regis Page for Facebook on various days in 2017: 26th May, 27th May, 1st June, 7th June, SIGNATURES 243 at 08:48 on 21 June 2017
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TN
Comment: I will be unable to even reach my nearest stop now and I used the Z bus regularly to get to the hospital, will now have to pay out for taxi's
Name: Trudi H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UT
Comment: I will not be able to get into Dunstable or the hospital with my husband which he needs to get to, on a regular basis.
Name: Karl R.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5ED
Comment: As someone who regularly uses the A from Bedford Square to Luton Station, these new changes have utterly baffled me. Any changes which require passengers to repeatedly ask the driver about destinations and whether it becomes another bid mid route should have immediately set off alarm bells that the changes were poorly thought out.
Name: Tina M.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TJ
Comment: Cause I would have to catch two busses to get to dunstable and have to walk 10mins to get to a bus stop to get a bus that i don't have to change on.
Name: Julie S.
Location: dunstable lu55de
Comment: i think they should not take the A bus off from houghton as it is the quickest way to get to luton/airport so if you have to be in luton/airport for a early shift you will have to get to dunstable first, and the Z bus takes to long to get to Luton please the bus service as it is
Name: Jennifer R.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5QQ
Comment: Changes to the bus routes use this service often
Name: Diane D.
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HY
Comment: I don't wa to catch two buses to get to Dunstable and no busses to hospital is just not good enough.
Name: Laura D.
Location: Houghton Regis lu55sj
Comment: I will either have to walk at least 10 mins to get one bus to Luton or get two buses to get to Luton to work and it's not acceptable
Name: Karen I.
Location: Teddington Tw119hw
Comment: My elderly father and plenty of other elderly people i know rely on this route
Name: Janet S.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5pn
Comment: I have difficulty walking I have to rely on the buses to go out pleas do not change the buses thank you
Name: Alan S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HA
Comment: The proposed changes will disadvantage the residents in the Houghton Regis area including the elderly and disabled. Arriva are also promoting this as price cuts. It is not for the residents mentioned above. My current 4 weekly busway ticket costs me £50 but the "new" ticket will cost me £55. Another example of Arriva not running a public bus service for the public.
Name: Debbie K.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5JW
Comment: Why try to fix something which isn't broken!!? The way the A and Z buses run have been absolutely fine since the busway opened and has made alot of commuters lives alot easier and quicker! Originally the old 38 route from Houghton Regis to Luton used to take 45 mins or more depending on traffic (Bury Park) and that was on a good day! The A bus which serves Houghton Regis has been one of the best and most reliable services I have used in the 19 years I have lived here, Arriva need to rethink this decision!!
Name: Toma S.
Location: Watford Wd19 5bn
Comment: We need this bus service
Name: Vicki B.
Location: Chesham HP5 2QW
Comment: For residents and local businesses. This route is crucial to a lot of local people who cannot drive
Name: Stephanie L.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5ns
Comment: Its going to make traveling to luton a longer journey
Name: Gillian Z.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HW
Comment: The proposed routes seem to ignore large parts of Houghton Regis, now meaning that 2 buses will now be required for what was previously just 1.
Name: Liz H.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5je
Comment: Arriva is a bloody joke all the boss case about is makeing money and not the people who need this bus
Name: Tim P.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5Fa
Comment: This effects my commute from Houghton Regis to London. It looks to be have been correctly researched . I am keen to see the data Aviv a have used ....
Name: Emma H.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5tf
Comment: No direct bus to the hospital
Name: Carol S.
Location: Luton LU3 3TG
Comment: I will have no way to get to dunstable with 4 children except via cabs so if they want to up local cab firms money they gone the right way about it!
Name: Gaye L.
Location: St Albans AL4 9YD
Comment: I do not live in St.Albans but moved over a year ago to Milton Way, Houghton Regis. I am retired & totally depended particularly on the Z bus to get me to the hospital, Luton town & station in particular. I also need the A bus to go to my daughter & Dunstable. I am devastated by these changes.
Name: Deborah R.
Location: Dunstable LU5 5UH
Comment: I am signing because I have disabilities which mean the changes will mean hardship for me and my neighbours also.
Name: Cheryl E.
Location: dunstable lu55rw
Comment: It is ridiculous to cut off the elderly along Parkside and Windsor drive, who can just about get to the bus stop outside their houses. It is wrong, arriva should be ashamed
Name: Chantel M.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5hl
Comment: I honestly think it's appalling that people could disregard the elderly and there needs to travel and have a carefree life. Many individuals rely on this bus service and have for years to sweep it from under them is just another thing . Fair enough change happens but to benefit some within society and leave others without the same means of travel is just obsimal.
Name: Lesley H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RH
Comment: Please leave our bus alone we NEED it a lot of elderly people rely on this service
Name: Lesley H. Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RH
Comment: We need this bus to get to the hospital or if we need to go to Dunstable or just to do our shopping at Morrisons rethink this and leaver bus alone
Name: Julie B.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5hu
Comment: It will bad for older people trying to get to the hospital
Name: Angela H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5BX
Comment: It's not fair on half of Houghton Regis to take away their bus service, especially to the hospital.
Name: Isabella S.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55db
Comment: Don't fix what's not broken.
Name: Jenny C.
Location: Luton Lu1 3qa
Comment: I need to get daughter to school and bus change has made this hard
Name: Lorraine D.
Location: luton lu31dz
Comment: i am disabled and i go and visit relatives in houghton regis stopping ithe bus t means i cannot visit as i cant get in carsand the bus is my only form of travel
Name: Jane C.
Location: Luton LU5 5BW
Comment: The people of Houghton Regis should not be overlooked when revising bus services. The direct A bus to Luton and the airport is a necessity for the disabled and elderly who will find bus changes and standing around waiting inbetween buses difficult, and a direct link to the hospital is a necessity for everyone, again, particularly the disabled, elderly and those with children.
Name: James C.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: I am a local councillor for Houghton Regis and the lack of public consultation deeply concerns me. I feel Houghton Regis is getting a rough deal considering a large amount of Houghton Regis community land was compulsory purchased for the building of the Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis busway. I have concerns for the amount of money spent on the new bus shelters now a large number will be redundant. Has consideration been made for their removal or are they to be left for the vandals to ruin. If arrival do not want to supply bus services to Houghton Regis perhaps we should consider other companies or other forms of community bus services which suit the people of Houghton Regis.
Name: Christine C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5tp
Comment: You just get used to a service then change I don't like change!
Name: Louise C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: We need a decent bus service in Houghton Regis
Name: Elaine W.
Location: Dunstable Lu5 5jf
Comment: It mad to change the bus rout as we,v just got use to the last change and some people won't havr a bus at all
Name: Mr D & Mrs B P.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: We think we need more than one bus per hour, why not just scrap the 33 route and replace it with the Z route. The reason Windsor Drive is to be missed out is to save time (four minutes) but they will have missed out of picking up fares on the new link road. I wrote to L.Frostick general manager (4th June), she informed me (5th June) that she would reply in a COUPLE of days, to date she has failed to do so.
Name: Peter C.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RW
Comment: Use bus regular to go to as a and l&s
Name: Roksana C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: I'm signing because I do not agreed regards changing time table and routes. From now on I need to take two buses to get to work as it was really convenient for all hospital employees.
Name: Carole C
Location: dunstable lu54un
Comment: This will be very inconvenient for the elderly and morhers with young children. Please reconsider.
Name: Caroline K.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5 HW
Comment: I need our bus to get to Luton, Hospitals and airport, as do my children and my Mother.... we are a growing town and need this to encourage people not to drive or help those who cannot drive
Name: Carole H
Location: Houghton Regis lu55jp
Comment: rely on these buses to get to work why change something that has worked so well for the last few yrs
Name: Laura D
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5sn
Comment: I want the service to continue along Windsor Drive.
Name: Sorina R
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HY
Comment: This changes affects me so much, it's not right to have ONLY one bus every 40 minutes on Windsor Drive! My son goes to school on Tithe Farm, we live on Tennyson Avenue and we have to be at school at 8:40am- how we get there on time if the bus comes 8:30am (and God knows if it's coming on time) ????????
Name: Rezia K.
Location: Luton lu1 1ul
Comment: I do not agree with these timetables. As everyone without transport depend on buses especially the vulnerable.
Name: Emily A.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5pn
Comment: Kids will struggle to get to school and adults alike the service at the moment is brilliant why change it!
Name: Angela K.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: It's a joke esp for only ppl an the disabled :( some fine if hard to get to the bus stop now ! How are thy goin to ever get out if they take their bus service
Name: Sam S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HF
Comment: The changes mean either 2 buses to work or 1 much longer one
Name: D H.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qg
Comment: Family friends elderly
Name: Linda T
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5DN
Comment: I need access to Tudor drive and Luton and Dunstable hospital
Name: Carol E
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55jp
Comment: I like the bus route as it is I need the bus to get to and from work and the a bus is good
Name: Susan O.
Location: Ventnor Po38 1al
Comment: I use this service for visiting family
Name: Bryan O.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5SN
Comment: Cannot see why the Z is no longer serving Windsor drive. The Woodside link doesn't serve any residents. Why would Arriva avoid potential customers?
Name: Christine B.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UE
Comment: It stops at top of my road and I need it to continue doing that.
Name: Hazel K.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5ll
Comment: This is a life line for many in Houghton Regis. Arrival have already discontinued the E bus at weekends. Why in God's name was all that money spent on the bus way.
Name: Susan G
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5sr
Comment: i work at the hospital and do not want to get two buses there and back ever day
Name: Anthony K
Location: Houghton Regis LU55LL
Comment: The A bus is my lifeline for visits to Luton and beyond. I use it for Luton home matches as do numerous other people. What is the point in spending all those millions on the busway if Arriva have no intention of providing a service for the people.
Name: Patricia E
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5th
Comment: The service is adequate as it is. If the novelty is just being able to drive the new roads then just add an additional service don't take away the a bus!
Name: Lucy C
Location: Dunstable Lu5 4pn
Comment: In have family members who rely on the A bus for work and now it's all going back to the way it was before the busway and will take them twice as long to get to work
Name: Anne T
Location: Houghton Regis LU55Jf
Comment: Not only are they changing the route they are putting up the monthly fares. Why shouldn't houghton have the right to a bus direct to the airport.
Name: Sue O
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: These changes will put many local residents at a severe disadvantage. Particularly the elderly and those with restricted mobility. It will make them virtual prisoners in their homes.
Name: Lurlyn C
Location: Dunstable CF44
Comment: As no longer a driver and get about on crutches depend heavily on the buses and got used to the A which connects to train and Luton itself from Houghton Regis and Z for hospital appointments.
Name: Rob L
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: It will have a detrimental affect to all residents in our area
Name: kim B
Location: houghton regis CF3
Comment: This is a vital link for local residents
Name: Warren H
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5hn
Comment: I get the A bus from houghton to Dunstable to work.
Name: Caroline M
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5 uf
Comment: I live in the Windsor drive area and use the bus daily to my place if work the Hospital. I also use it to get to Luton town centre and dunstable town centre. I don't own a car so I rely on the buses. It seems like your customers on this area have been forgotten about. Thanks arriva
Name: Pam H
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5se
Comment: I. find this idea with the buses very confusing
Name: Pam G
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5QE
Comment: To not have a bus going to the hospital is unacceptable. We are a town that is growing and will double in size and needs access to the hospital and other sevices .
Name: Elizabeth Johnson
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5uh
Comment: Take me 2 buses to get to work so now even more money to flipping spend
Name: SharonB
Location: Greenfield mk45 5dg
Comment: My parents live on Parkside Drive and rely on the bus to get them to do their shopping, doctors, hospital etc. This is a lifeline being taken away for them and many other people who totally depend on the buses to go about their normal life. Taking these routes away will limit some people's ability to get out and about and in the long term will affect their health both physically and mentally. This needs a big rethink! Come on ..... do the right thing and give the bus route back!!
Name: Ashleigh R
Location: houghton regis lu5
Comment: i love seeing my friends i have no other why getting there my mum has 4 kids and getting a buggy taxis cost alot and these buses are really popular please what ever u do not stop this bus i beg
Name: Samantha Thomlinson
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UE
Comment: I suffer from Bi-Polar and personality disorder. I don't drive . I have my mental health groups in Dunstable. I use the service all the time. The system works,why change? This will severely impact on my mental and disability health.
Name: Gazmend R.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rp
Comment: This decision will directly have an impact on our lives as my wife takes the buss everyday to Luton and Dunstable,
Name: Sinead K
Location: London Lu5 5ed
Comment: I am signing because not being able to drive and having bad health and always having to go to doctors and hospital cutting this bus route will stop me being able to get there as I can't afford taxis all of the time
Name: Angela W
Location: HOUGHTON REGIS LU5 5PF
Comment: HOUGHTON Regis is expanding rapidly......and the least we can ask for is a decent bus service that benefits all the residents of Houghton !!! What do we pay council tax for .....we pay more and more each year and the services in the town are getting less and less!! Shame on you ARRIVA!!!!
Name: Hazel E
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: This is an idiotic decision which will have a major impact on those who require public transport to facilitate aspects of daily living.
Name: Pamela H
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HX
Comment: It was fine the way it was. Name: Samantha B
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5LU
Comment: I'm signing this because I personally think this is wrong, what about all the people who don't drive and are now going to be stuck in their house? No one can really afford to be paying for a taxi everyday. I know I for sure can't. Also all them elderly people who use these buses are going to now lose their independence, it's so sad really...
Name: Liam D
Location: hatfield AL10 0HF
Comment: I am signing this because I use this bus quite a bit to go see my mum in Houghton and to see my partner mum as well and his aunt do something useful and don't get rid of the service the z bus takes way to long
Name: Kelly B
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5df
Comment: If they cancel this route it would mean walking 20 mins to a bus stop in order to get the correct bus for work into Luton centre
Name: Vasil I
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rp
Comment: I'm signing because i use the bus
Name: Yvonne F
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5ST
Comment: The bus service is brilliant the way it is now - if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Name: Charlotte D
Location: Luton Lu4 0tt
Comment: I disagree with the changes. It easier enough to change something which dosent effect you forgetting those it does effect .
Name: Susan S
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rl
Comment: I will be cut off from my children the hospital Dunstable etc what's the point off a bus pass if I can't use it
Name: Angeline R
Location: Houghton Regis LU55DB
Comment: This effects my route to work. Will just have to use car again. Furious
Name: Sean M
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TR
Comment: I do not really see the need for the change as the service more than adequate as it is
Name: Deborah H
Location: United Kingdom LU5 5EA
Comment: we have paid enough of our public money on this bus way to service our town, no way should we be seeing cuts in it.
Name: Linda T
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5DN
Comment: My daughter uses the z bus from Tudor Drive to get to work in Luton;now she will have a 10minute walk to a bus stop and a bus journey of 50 minutes
Name: Nicola P
Location: Houghton Regis lu55qb
Comment: This stops running its the elderly who will suffer the most.
Name: Michael P
Location: Dunstable LU5 4HX
Comment: I can understand the changes to the A bus but the Z buses should maintain their existing calling points and not cut out people who have relied on them.
Name: Lyn B
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5pu
Comment: How can they cut the bus route not everyone has cars to use,people need a service to get to school college work ect.
Name: Sophia B
Location: Dunstable lu6 1lz
Comment: I like the bussway the way it is and find it very convenient the way its already layed out.
Name: Andrea M
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5AZ
Comment: My parents use the A & Z bus all the time with their bus pass to come and visit me in Dunstable to see their Grandson.
Name: Georgiana S
Location: Silver Spring
Comment: Outraged with this change to the buses in Houghton Regis/Parkside. I use the bus regularly as does my partner - not to mention the bus loads of people we encounter from the Houghton Regis Area on the full buses we have been on. We have never been on a bus that was not packed out on the A or Z route through the Houghton Regis/Parkside area. This change will make getting to and from Dunstable ridiculously long not to mention getting to and from work a lot longer and far more a hassle. The people that proposed this have obviously never ridden the route and talked to the people on it to see if this change was needed or wanted. The only change the A and Z buses required were more of them more frequently as they are always full. Absolutely disgusting!
Name: Lois P
Location: Luotn LU4 0RG
Comment: It is not acceptable to take this lifeline away from the elderly and disabled. Buses help people stay active, engaged, involved; removing this essential service will reduce quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents.
Name: Rebeka H
Location: Bedfordshire Lu55te
Comment: I'm losing my only way to commute to Luton train staion for work I can walk that far and depend on the train along with everyone else in the Windsor drive area you have chosen the sake of 4 minutes off your rout over serving more than 10 bus stops absolutly desgusting!
Name: Stefanie H
Location: Leighton Buzzard LU7 2YQ
Comment: The vulnerable will suffer when bus routes are removed. Perhaps a marketing campaign to increase bus usage would be a start, making clear that it's up to everyone to keep routes viable.
Name: Rachel G
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5JP
Comment: I use the A service, if these proposed changes go ahead it will make getting about with my baby very difficult, way to isolate people Arriva!
Name: Janet O
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: Please do not change the bus routes, or remove. Because without them I can't get to the hospital, I'm disabled and I rely on the buses to get me to my appointments. And I need to get me out of the house, so I go to Luton. If we lose theses buses you will be trapping me in my house, and my friends. There are a lot OAPs that need those buses. Think how would you feel if you couldn't go out, we can't afford taxis, and we don't all have cars.
Name: Mary F
Location: houghton regis lu5 5dn
Comment: This is a valuable service for our community.
Name: Linda V
Location: Luton lu2 0jl
Comment: You are taking away direct links The current A and Z were finr. if it is not broke dont mess with it
Name: Brenda Hart
Location: Bedfordshire LU5 5NQ
Comment: Houghton Regis is never studied.
Name: Brenda Hart
Location: Bedfordshire LU5 5NQ
Comment: The travelling public in Houghton Regis had no idea this was to happen till it appeared on the Houghton Regis Page.What was Arriva trying to do get it changed by the back door and hope that the customers would not know it was changing until it happened.This is an insult to the intelligence of those concerned.Arriva Bosses you are pathetic and ignorant. Have you thought about your drivers who are going to take the flak on their routes.Of course not ,you are not going to be in the driving seats are you. You are not only ignorant,but I believe unqualified in your Jobs .
Name: Cheryl F
Location: Stanbridge LU7 9JD
Comment: This directly affects my elderly mother who is 87 years old and does not drive. There are many more elderly people with limited income in a similar position, as well as young families with children. Also, it is not safe for people to walk local streets late at night - these changes mean many will have to do so more frequently.
Name: Vicky W
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rj
Comment: My elderly Grandmother will no longer be able to get the bus directly to dunstable. I feel having her waiting around for bus changing just to do shopping is outrageous and make her and many elderly people vulnerable and even make some elderly people house bound.
Name: Sarah S
Location: Victoria V8N3H9
Comment: My elderly aunt will be affected and she has no other transport.
Name: Lesley W
Location: Dunstable LU5 4LW
Comment: I don't suppose the person who drew up the new routes has ever travelled in that area!!!
Name: Marion P
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5dn
Comment: The bus service is fine as it is to travel from Houghton Regis to Luton now going the other way will take longer I thought the idea of the bus way was to make journeys quicker why cant they just change the letter of the z bus when it reaches asda
Name: Jonathqan V
Location: Houghton Regis LU55LX
Comment: Doubles my journey time into Luton, wasn't the busway mean't to encourage people not to drive to Luton which now because longer bus journey times puts them back in thier cars. So a backward step.
Name: Sarah B
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 6JE
Comment: Ridiculous bring back A service to Houghton regis
Name: Janine D
Location: Bedfordshire UK
Comment: Promises of a good, improved, service were made priot to the build of the bus way, but now, of course, the residents of Houghton Regis are being let down. The A route is an important link to Luton and London. We need an improved service with greater connectability not worse!
Name: Hannah J
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: I've just waited 45 minutes for a bus to the airport which never turned up. With bus drivers telling me it will be the next one, making me late for work. I now have to get two busses, even though arriva stated I could get a z to Dunstable which would change to an a.
Name: Lu L
Location: luton lu50uj
Comment: My mum relies on these buses to get to the hospital twice a week.. and my kids use it to get to work.. this new set up is ridiculous & like someone above mentioned it may not effect those who don't use the bloody service... but those that do it will..
COMMENTS AT CHANGE.ORG
Name: Sarah S.Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TN
Comment: I will be unable to even reach my nearest stop now and I used the Z bus regularly to get to the hospital, will now have to pay out for taxi's
Name: Trudi H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UT
Comment: I will not be able to get into Dunstable or the hospital with my husband which he needs to get to, on a regular basis.
Name: Karl R.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5ED
Comment: As someone who regularly uses the A from Bedford Square to Luton Station, these new changes have utterly baffled me. Any changes which require passengers to repeatedly ask the driver about destinations and whether it becomes another bid mid route should have immediately set off alarm bells that the changes were poorly thought out.
Name: Tina M.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TJ
Comment: Cause I would have to catch two busses to get to dunstable and have to walk 10mins to get to a bus stop to get a bus that i don't have to change on.
Name: Julie S.
Location: dunstable lu55de
Comment: i think they should not take the A bus off from houghton as it is the quickest way to get to luton/airport so if you have to be in luton/airport for a early shift you will have to get to dunstable first, and the Z bus takes to long to get to Luton please the bus service as it is
Name: Jennifer R.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5QQ
Comment: Changes to the bus routes use this service often
Name: Diane D.
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HY
Comment: I don't wa to catch two buses to get to Dunstable and no busses to hospital is just not good enough.
Name: Laura D.
Location: Houghton Regis lu55sj
Comment: I will either have to walk at least 10 mins to get one bus to Luton or get two buses to get to Luton to work and it's not acceptable
Name: Karen I.
Location: Teddington Tw119hw
Comment: My elderly father and plenty of other elderly people i know rely on this route
Name: Janet S.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5pn
Comment: I have difficulty walking I have to rely on the buses to go out pleas do not change the buses thank you
Name: Alan S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HA
Comment: The proposed changes will disadvantage the residents in the Houghton Regis area including the elderly and disabled. Arriva are also promoting this as price cuts. It is not for the residents mentioned above. My current 4 weekly busway ticket costs me £50 but the "new" ticket will cost me £55. Another example of Arriva not running a public bus service for the public.
Name: Debbie K.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5JW
Comment: Why try to fix something which isn't broken!!? The way the A and Z buses run have been absolutely fine since the busway opened and has made alot of commuters lives alot easier and quicker! Originally the old 38 route from Houghton Regis to Luton used to take 45 mins or more depending on traffic (Bury Park) and that was on a good day! The A bus which serves Houghton Regis has been one of the best and most reliable services I have used in the 19 years I have lived here, Arriva need to rethink this decision!!
Name: Toma S.
Location: Watford Wd19 5bn
Comment: We need this bus service
Name: Vicki B.
Location: Chesham HP5 2QW
Comment: For residents and local businesses. This route is crucial to a lot of local people who cannot drive
Name: Stephanie L.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5ns
Comment: Its going to make traveling to luton a longer journey
Name: Gillian Z.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HW
Comment: The proposed routes seem to ignore large parts of Houghton Regis, now meaning that 2 buses will now be required for what was previously just 1.
Name: Liz H.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5je
Comment: Arriva is a bloody joke all the boss case about is makeing money and not the people who need this bus
Name: Tim P.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5Fa
Comment: This effects my commute from Houghton Regis to London. It looks to be have been correctly researched . I am keen to see the data Aviv a have used ....
Name: Emma H.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5tf
Comment: No direct bus to the hospital
Name: Carol S.
Location: Luton LU3 3TG
Comment: I will have no way to get to dunstable with 4 children except via cabs so if they want to up local cab firms money they gone the right way about it!
Name: Gaye L.
Location: St Albans AL4 9YD
Comment: I do not live in St.Albans but moved over a year ago to Milton Way, Houghton Regis. I am retired & totally depended particularly on the Z bus to get me to the hospital, Luton town & station in particular. I also need the A bus to go to my daughter & Dunstable. I am devastated by these changes.
Name: Deborah R.
Location: Dunstable LU5 5UH
Comment: I am signing because I have disabilities which mean the changes will mean hardship for me and my neighbours also.
Name: Cheryl E.
Location: dunstable lu55rw
Comment: It is ridiculous to cut off the elderly along Parkside and Windsor drive, who can just about get to the bus stop outside their houses. It is wrong, arriva should be ashamed
Name: Chantel M.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5hl
Comment: I honestly think it's appalling that people could disregard the elderly and there needs to travel and have a carefree life. Many individuals rely on this bus service and have for years to sweep it from under them is just another thing . Fair enough change happens but to benefit some within society and leave others without the same means of travel is just obsimal.
Name: Lesley H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RH
Comment: Please leave our bus alone we NEED it a lot of elderly people rely on this service
Name: Lesley H. Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RH
Comment: We need this bus to get to the hospital or if we need to go to Dunstable or just to do our shopping at Morrisons rethink this and leaver bus alone
Name: Julie B.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5hu
Comment: It will bad for older people trying to get to the hospital
Name: Angela H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5BX
Comment: It's not fair on half of Houghton Regis to take away their bus service, especially to the hospital.
Name: Isabella S.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55db
Comment: Don't fix what's not broken.
Name: Jenny C.
Location: Luton Lu1 3qa
Comment: I need to get daughter to school and bus change has made this hard
Name: Lorraine D.
Location: luton lu31dz
Comment: i am disabled and i go and visit relatives in houghton regis stopping ithe bus t means i cannot visit as i cant get in carsand the bus is my only form of travel
Name: Jane C.
Location: Luton LU5 5BW
Comment: The people of Houghton Regis should not be overlooked when revising bus services. The direct A bus to Luton and the airport is a necessity for the disabled and elderly who will find bus changes and standing around waiting inbetween buses difficult, and a direct link to the hospital is a necessity for everyone, again, particularly the disabled, elderly and those with children.
Name: James C.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: I am a local councillor for Houghton Regis and the lack of public consultation deeply concerns me. I feel Houghton Regis is getting a rough deal considering a large amount of Houghton Regis community land was compulsory purchased for the building of the Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis busway. I have concerns for the amount of money spent on the new bus shelters now a large number will be redundant. Has consideration been made for their removal or are they to be left for the vandals to ruin. If arrival do not want to supply bus services to Houghton Regis perhaps we should consider other companies or other forms of community bus services which suit the people of Houghton Regis.
Name: Christine C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5tp
Comment: You just get used to a service then change I don't like change!
Name: Louise C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: We need a decent bus service in Houghton Regis
Name: Elaine W.
Location: Dunstable Lu5 5jf
Comment: It mad to change the bus rout as we,v just got use to the last change and some people won't havr a bus at all
Name: Mr D & Mrs B P.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: We think we need more than one bus per hour, why not just scrap the 33 route and replace it with the Z route. The reason Windsor Drive is to be missed out is to save time (four minutes) but they will have missed out of picking up fares on the new link road. I wrote to L.Frostick general manager (4th June), she informed me (5th June) that she would reply in a COUPLE of days, to date she has failed to do so.
Name: Peter C.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RW
Comment: Use bus regular to go to as a and l&s
Name: Roksana C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: I'm signing because I do not agreed regards changing time table and routes. From now on I need to take two buses to get to work as it was really convenient for all hospital employees.
Name: Carole C
Location: dunstable lu54un
Comment: This will be very inconvenient for the elderly and morhers with young children. Please reconsider.
Name: Caroline K.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5 HW
Comment: I need our bus to get to Luton, Hospitals and airport, as do my children and my Mother.... we are a growing town and need this to encourage people not to drive or help those who cannot drive
Name: Carole H
Location: Houghton Regis lu55jp
Comment: rely on these buses to get to work why change something that has worked so well for the last few yrs
Name: Laura D
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5sn
Comment: I want the service to continue along Windsor Drive.
Name: Sorina R
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HY
Comment: This changes affects me so much, it's not right to have ONLY one bus every 40 minutes on Windsor Drive! My son goes to school on Tithe Farm, we live on Tennyson Avenue and we have to be at school at 8:40am- how we get there on time if the bus comes 8:30am (and God knows if it's coming on time) ????????
Name: Rezia K.
Location: Luton lu1 1ul
Comment: I do not agree with these timetables. As everyone without transport depend on buses especially the vulnerable.
Name: Emily A.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5pn
Comment: Kids will struggle to get to school and adults alike the service at the moment is brilliant why change it!
Name: Angela K.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: It's a joke esp for only ppl an the disabled :( some fine if hard to get to the bus stop now ! How are thy goin to ever get out if they take their bus service
Name: Sam S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HF
Comment: The changes mean either 2 buses to work or 1 much longer one
Name: D H.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qg
Comment: Family friends elderly
Name: Linda T
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5DN
Comment: I need access to Tudor drive and Luton and Dunstable hospital
Name: Carol E
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55jp
Comment: I like the bus route as it is I need the bus to get to and from work and the a bus is good
Name: Susan O.
Location: Ventnor Po38 1al
Comment: I use this service for visiting family
Name: Bryan O.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5SN
Comment: Cannot see why the Z is no longer serving Windsor drive. The Woodside link doesn't serve any residents. Why would Arriva avoid potential customers?
Name: Christine B.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UE
Comment: It stops at top of my road and I need it to continue doing that.
Name: Hazel K.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5ll
Comment: This is a life line for many in Houghton Regis. Arrival have already discontinued the E bus at weekends. Why in God's name was all that money spent on the bus way.
Name: Susan G
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5sr
Comment: i work at the hospital and do not want to get two buses there and back ever day
Name: Anthony K
Location: Houghton Regis LU55LL
Comment: The A bus is my lifeline for visits to Luton and beyond. I use it for Luton home matches as do numerous other people. What is the point in spending all those millions on the busway if Arriva have no intention of providing a service for the people.
Name: Patricia E
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5th
Comment: The service is adequate as it is. If the novelty is just being able to drive the new roads then just add an additional service don't take away the a bus!
Name: Lucy C
Location: Dunstable Lu5 4pn
Comment: In have family members who rely on the A bus for work and now it's all going back to the way it was before the busway and will take them twice as long to get to work
Name: Anne T
Location: Houghton Regis LU55Jf
Comment: Not only are they changing the route they are putting up the monthly fares. Why shouldn't houghton have the right to a bus direct to the airport.
Name: Sue O
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: These changes will put many local residents at a severe disadvantage. Particularly the elderly and those with restricted mobility. It will make them virtual prisoners in their homes.
Name: Lurlyn C
Location: Dunstable CF44
Comment: As no longer a driver and get about on crutches depend heavily on the buses and got used to the A which connects to train and Luton itself from Houghton Regis and Z for hospital appointments.
Name: Rob L
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: It will have a detrimental affect to all residents in our area
Name: kim B
Location: houghton regis CF3
Comment: This is a vital link for local residents
Name: Warren H
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5hn
Comment: I get the A bus from houghton to Dunstable to work.
Name: Caroline M
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5 uf
Comment: I live in the Windsor drive area and use the bus daily to my place if work the Hospital. I also use it to get to Luton town centre and dunstable town centre. I don't own a car so I rely on the buses. It seems like your customers on this area have been forgotten about. Thanks arriva
Name: Pam H
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5se
Comment: I. find this idea with the buses very confusing
Name: Pam G
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5QE
Comment: To not have a bus going to the hospital is unacceptable. We are a town that is growing and will double in size and needs access to the hospital and other sevices .
Name: Elizabeth Johnson
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5uh
Comment: Take me 2 buses to get to work so now even more money to flipping spend
Name: SharonB
Location: Greenfield mk45 5dg
Comment: My parents live on Parkside Drive and rely on the bus to get them to do their shopping, doctors, hospital etc. This is a lifeline being taken away for them and many other people who totally depend on the buses to go about their normal life. Taking these routes away will limit some people's ability to get out and about and in the long term will affect their health both physically and mentally. This needs a big rethink! Come on ..... do the right thing and give the bus route back!!
Name: Ashleigh R
Location: houghton regis lu5
Comment: i love seeing my friends i have no other why getting there my mum has 4 kids and getting a buggy taxis cost alot and these buses are really popular please what ever u do not stop this bus i beg
Name: Samantha Thomlinson
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UE
Comment: I suffer from Bi-Polar and personality disorder. I don't drive . I have my mental health groups in Dunstable. I use the service all the time. The system works,why change? This will severely impact on my mental and disability health.
Name: Gazmend R.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rp
Comment: This decision will directly have an impact on our lives as my wife takes the buss everyday to Luton and Dunstable,
Name: Sinead K
Location: London Lu5 5ed
Comment: I am signing because not being able to drive and having bad health and always having to go to doctors and hospital cutting this bus route will stop me being able to get there as I can't afford taxis all of the time
Name: Angela W
Location: HOUGHTON REGIS LU5 5PF
Comment: HOUGHTON Regis is expanding rapidly......and the least we can ask for is a decent bus service that benefits all the residents of Houghton !!! What do we pay council tax for .....we pay more and more each year and the services in the town are getting less and less!! Shame on you ARRIVA!!!!
Name: Hazel E
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: This is an idiotic decision which will have a major impact on those who require public transport to facilitate aspects of daily living.
Name: Pamela H
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HX
Comment: It was fine the way it was. Name: Samantha B
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5LU
Comment: I'm signing this because I personally think this is wrong, what about all the people who don't drive and are now going to be stuck in their house? No one can really afford to be paying for a taxi everyday. I know I for sure can't. Also all them elderly people who use these buses are going to now lose their independence, it's so sad really...
Name: Liam D
Location: hatfield AL10 0HF
Comment: I am signing this because I use this bus quite a bit to go see my mum in Houghton and to see my partner mum as well and his aunt do something useful and don't get rid of the service the z bus takes way to long
Name: Kelly B
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5df
Comment: If they cancel this route it would mean walking 20 mins to a bus stop in order to get the correct bus for work into Luton centre
Name: Vasil I
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rp
Comment: I'm signing because i use the bus
Name: Yvonne F
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5ST
Comment: The bus service is brilliant the way it is now - if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Name: Charlotte D
Location: Luton Lu4 0tt
Comment: I disagree with the changes. It easier enough to change something which dosent effect you forgetting those it does effect .
Name: Susan S
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rl
Comment: I will be cut off from my children the hospital Dunstable etc what's the point off a bus pass if I can't use it
Name: Angeline R
Location: Houghton Regis LU55DB
Comment: This effects my route to work. Will just have to use car again. Furious
Name: Sean M
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TR
Comment: I do not really see the need for the change as the service more than adequate as it is
Name: Deborah H
Location: United Kingdom LU5 5EA
Comment: we have paid enough of our public money on this bus way to service our town, no way should we be seeing cuts in it.
Name: Linda T
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5DN
Comment: My daughter uses the z bus from Tudor Drive to get to work in Luton;now she will have a 10minute walk to a bus stop and a bus journey of 50 minutes
Name: Nicola P
Location: Houghton Regis lu55qb
Comment: This stops running its the elderly who will suffer the most.
Name: Michael P
Location: Dunstable LU5 4HX
Comment: I can understand the changes to the A bus but the Z buses should maintain their existing calling points and not cut out people who have relied on them.
Name: Lyn B
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5pu
Comment: How can they cut the bus route not everyone has cars to use,people need a service to get to school college work ect.
Name: Sophia B
Location: Dunstable lu6 1lz
Comment: I like the bussway the way it is and find it very convenient the way its already layed out.
Name: Andrea M
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5AZ
Comment: My parents use the A & Z bus all the time with their bus pass to come and visit me in Dunstable to see their Grandson.
Name: Georgiana S
Location: Silver Spring
Comment: Outraged with this change to the buses in Houghton Regis/Parkside. I use the bus regularly as does my partner - not to mention the bus loads of people we encounter from the Houghton Regis Area on the full buses we have been on. We have never been on a bus that was not packed out on the A or Z route through the Houghton Regis/Parkside area. This change will make getting to and from Dunstable ridiculously long not to mention getting to and from work a lot longer and far more a hassle. The people that proposed this have obviously never ridden the route and talked to the people on it to see if this change was needed or wanted. The only change the A and Z buses required were more of them more frequently as they are always full. Absolutely disgusting!
Name: Lois P
Location: Luotn LU4 0RG
Comment: It is not acceptable to take this lifeline away from the elderly and disabled. Buses help people stay active, engaged, involved; removing this essential service will reduce quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents.
Name: Rebeka H
Location: Bedfordshire Lu55te
Comment: I'm losing my only way to commute to Luton train staion for work I can walk that far and depend on the train along with everyone else in the Windsor drive area you have chosen the sake of 4 minutes off your rout over serving more than 10 bus stops absolutly desgusting!
Name: Stefanie H
Location: Leighton Buzzard LU7 2YQ
Comment: The vulnerable will suffer when bus routes are removed. Perhaps a marketing campaign to increase bus usage would be a start, making clear that it's up to everyone to keep routes viable.
Name: Rachel G
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5JP
Comment: I use the A service, if these proposed changes go ahead it will make getting about with my baby very difficult, way to isolate people Arriva!
Name: Janet O
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: Please do not change the bus routes, or remove. Because without them I can't get to the hospital, I'm disabled and I rely on the buses to get me to my appointments. And I need to get me out of the house, so I go to Luton. If we lose theses buses you will be trapping me in my house, and my friends. There are a lot OAPs that need those buses. Think how would you feel if you couldn't go out, we can't afford taxis, and we don't all have cars.
Name: Mary F
Location: houghton regis lu5 5dn
Comment: This is a valuable service for our community.
Name: Linda V
Location: Luton lu2 0jl
Comment: You are taking away direct links The current A and Z were finr. if it is not broke dont mess with it
Name: Brenda Hart
Location: Bedfordshire LU5 5NQ
Comment: Houghton Regis is never studied.
Name: Brenda Hart
Location: Bedfordshire LU5 5NQ
Comment: The travelling public in Houghton Regis had no idea this was to happen till it appeared on the Houghton Regis Page.What was Arriva trying to do get it changed by the back door and hope that the customers would not know it was changing until it happened.This is an insult to the intelligence of those concerned.Arriva Bosses you are pathetic and ignorant. Have you thought about your drivers who are going to take the flak on their routes.Of course not ,you are not going to be in the driving seats are you. You are not only ignorant,but I believe unqualified in your Jobs .
Name: Cheryl F
Location: Stanbridge LU7 9JD
Comment: This directly affects my elderly mother who is 87 years old and does not drive. There are many more elderly people with limited income in a similar position, as well as young families with children. Also, it is not safe for people to walk local streets late at night - these changes mean many will have to do so more frequently.
Name: Vicky W
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rj
Comment: My elderly Grandmother will no longer be able to get the bus directly to dunstable. I feel having her waiting around for bus changing just to do shopping is outrageous and make her and many elderly people vulnerable and even make some elderly people house bound.
Name: Sarah S
Location: Victoria V8N3H9
Comment: My elderly aunt will be affected and she has no other transport.
Name: Lesley W
Location: Dunstable LU5 4LW
Comment: I don't suppose the person who drew up the new routes has ever travelled in that area!!!
Name: Marion P
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5dn
Comment: The bus service is fine as it is to travel from Houghton Regis to Luton now going the other way will take longer I thought the idea of the bus way was to make journeys quicker why cant they just change the letter of the z bus when it reaches asda
Name: Jonathqan V
Location: Houghton Regis LU55LX
Comment: Doubles my journey time into Luton, wasn't the busway mean't to encourage people not to drive to Luton which now because longer bus journey times puts them back in thier cars. So a backward step.
Name: Sarah B
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 6JE
Comment: Ridiculous bring back A service to Houghton regis
Name: Janine D
Location: Bedfordshire UK
Comment: Promises of a good, improved, service were made priot to the build of the bus way, but now, of course, the residents of Houghton Regis are being let down. The A route is an important link to Luton and London. We need an improved service with greater connectability not worse!
Name: Hannah J
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: I've just waited 45 minutes for a bus to the airport which never turned up. With bus drivers telling me it will be the next one, making me late for work. I now have to get two busses, even though arriva stated I could get a z to Dunstable which would change to an a.
Name: Lu L
Location: luton lu50uj
Comment: My mum relies on these buses to get to the hospital twice a week.. and my kids use it to get to work.. this new set up is ridiculous & like someone above mentioned it may not effect those who don't use the bloody service... but those that do it will..
