Victory For 113/114 Passengers

A few weeks ago it was announced that the 113/114 between Diss and Ipswich was being revised. That word always means bad news and so it proved. A truncated service, with fewer through journeys to Ipswich and the villages of Stoke Ash and Thwaite were to lose their bus service completely.

But I'm delighted to report that Suffolk County Council have had second thoughts after listening to the concerns of local residents, and have decided to keep the old timetable, thus reprieving Stoke Ash and Thwaite. Due to Traffic Commissioner red tape the new timetable will operate for a week, but the service will revert to the old timetable from September 11th.

Galloway YJ65 EWF on the 114 at Ipswich pic dearingbuspix

It certainly makes a pleasant change for the Council to listen to residents and reverse bus cuts decisions. One has to wonder what was unique to this particular situation, after all, many villages have lost their bus service in recent years (mine included), and all protests have fallen on deaf ears. So why have Stoke Ash and Thwaite escaped the axe? I don't believe for a second that the fact Suffolk's Police & Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore lives in Thwaite, and his good lady is a regular passenger on the 113/114 had the slightest influence in the Council's decision to overturn the cuts. Surely not!

I found this story in the East Anglia Daily Times, and you can read the full story here.