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Bus Service (Essex)

This is my third petition, which you will be glad to hear, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is my last in this Parliament. It was produced by Carol Tebbutt, the wonderful people of Age Concern and others in Castle Point who want to see an improved bus service. My goodness, we all want to see that. The petition is long and will be printed in Hansard. Following is the full text of the petition: [The Petition of Carol Tebbutt, members of Age Concern Canvey Island, the residents of Castle Point and others, Declares that they object to the reduction in frequency of low-floor buses operating on the number 21 bus route between Southend and Canvey Island, operated by FirstGroup; that this reduction in the number of low-floor buses discriminates against passengers with greater accessibility needs, including the elderly, infirm, adults accompanying small children and those with limited mobility; further, that this route is used by residents travelling to and from Southend Hospital and requiring frequent, accessible, reliable and comfortable bus services; that for these and many other valid reasons only low-floor buses be operated by FirstGroup on this route and at greater frequency. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to press FirstGroup to operate only low-floor buses and at shorter intervals on the number 21 bus route between Southend and Canvey Island. And the Petitioners remain, etc.]