The motion to temporarily subsidise the 60/61 bus service up to £100,000.

An amendment to the motion was voted at the Torbay Council meeting this evening.  The vote was successful and promises £60,000 to help temporarily maintain the service whilst longer term alternatives are investigated.

This result was almost certainly due to the strength of feeling shown by residents along the route, especially those of Preston and St Luke’s, who signed a petition and demonstrated the importance of this service.  St Luke’s residents were very prominent at the meeting.

Local Link have applied to the Department for Transport for permission to cancel their previous application to terminate the service on 16 May.  If that application to cancel is refused, the service will still cease, but if successful, it could continue.

The council are committed to supporting longer term options, including a community transport scheme.  There is a meeting tomorrow morning, organised by the Torbay Community Development Trust and at which St Luke’s Residents’ Association will have three representatives, to discuss a way forward.

Watch this space for more information.