The Bus Fiasco: SU takes on Stagecoach

The bus saga for Warwick students and staff is still in full swing: traffic diversions off the Parade – Leamington Spa’s busiest street – have led to the most recent problems, seemingly alongside the already standing bad management, overcrowded transport and unreliable timetables.

The Students’ Union (SU) attempted to resolve issues in an open letter exchange with management at Stagecoach.

The SU received 200 complaints within the first 3 days of term, due to late or overcrowded buses.

SU President Isaac Leigh was elected on a manifesto that pledged primarily to push for refunds on unsatisfactory bus service.

Unfortunately, despite submitting complaints and lobbying local companies, there has been little to no tangible improvement.

The SU received 200 complaints within the first 3 days of term, due to late or overcrowded buses.

Despite spending nearly £300 on year-long bus tickets, Leamington Spa’s residents find themselves having to leave at least an hour and a half before lectures in order to reach them on time.

Even with this extra time added on, buses are frequently delayed, or so full they are unable to take on more passengers.

Students have missed seminars, lectures and paid work hours which – in the context of £9000 per year tuition – has been broadly agreed to be unacceptable.

Photo : Warwick SU

Early this term, Isaac submitted an open letter to Stagecoach, citing specific customer complaints and photographic evidence.

However, the decision to hold discussions on a public stage has drawn criticism from amongst the student body as a counter-effective publicity stunt, with fears that there could be negative repercussions for the already awkward student-transport relationship.

Isaac commented: “The open letter did cause tension with Stagecoach, but I’m not going to apologise for taking a more direct and public approach on behalf of how bad the service was, and how long this has been going on for.”

The SU President also expressed his wish that students be able to “see what the Sabbatical Officers are doing in a more transparent way.”

The open letter did cause tension with Stagecoach, but I’m not going to apologise for taking a more direct and public approach.
Isaac Leigh

Although Stagecoach Managing Director Steve Burd stated: “[He was] happy for his reply to be published openly”, Stagecoach’s response shows a refusal to address long-standing issues and does not make mention of the SU’s request for student refunds.

Having already met with National Express’s Regional Manager, Isaac commented: “National Express seem very willing to engage with us and find out where the problems lie. There is certainly a big difference in approach between the two companies.”

The recent open letter exchange has generated interest from the Traffic Commissioner, local MPs and the media, including the Leamington Courier, Shane O’Connor’s breakfast show and BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire.