Another look at the bus

Jericho residents who rely on the X39 bus will have to wait for a month or two to know whether their service is secure. Thames Travel has run the service since October 1999, but their contract expires on April 13, 2002. The County Council, which gives Thames Travel a subsidy of £118 per operating day, is now reviewing the service and has been counting how many people use the bus. Based on this, early in the new year the Executive of the Council will draw up new tenders, possibly suggesting different frequencies. They will then invite bids from Thames Travel and any other interested companies. If no one bids, or if the County Council thinks that the subsidy that would be needed is too high, then they would have to think again.