MPs urge bus firm to think again over service shake-up

CONSERVATIVE MPs have met with the South West managing director of bus company Stagecoach to raise concerns about a shakeup of services which will impact school students.

- WMN REPORTER

Sir Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and Tavistock, and Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, met Peter Knight at Sir Geoffrey's office in Tavistock to discuss potential service changes and fare rises.

Stagecoach has come under fire after deciding to end the X1 service on August 31 which transports students from Tavistock to Plymouth.

In addition school children face rising fares from the end of August, while changes in ticketing methods mean pupils as young as 11 will be forced to use a smart phone every day to get reduced rates. The changes have been heavily criticised by parents.

Stagecoach said it was introducing a more flexible ticketing structure designed to give families greater choice, with multi-day and monthly app-based options bringing the price down to £3.49 per day.