Problems of public transport provision in East Suffolk

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the problems involved in the provision of public passenger transport facilities in a part of Britain which has hitherto not received a great deal of attention from researchers in this field. Public transport provision in Bast Suffolk may be broken down into three distinct spheres of activity: railway passenger services, rural bus services and urban bus services, each faced with different operating environments but often facing similar problems. The threefold division is followed in this study but many cross references are made where certain problems are of general application. The historical development of the present form of the public transport network of East Suffolk is examined in detail in order to trace the ways in which historical factors have influenced the present day difficulties facing the public transport operators. Chapters on the historical development of public transport by rail and road are followed by a number of more detailed studies of the problems faced by the operators at the present time and in the recent past. The period when most concern was being expressed over the future of railway passengef services in East Suffolk was around the mid 196Os and the events which took place at that time are recounted in detail. In contrast, although concern over the threat to the survival of many rural bus services has been present since the mid 1950s, particularly severe difficulties began to be experienced during the early 1970s, continuing to the present time. There are few urban bus services in East Suffolk, only Ipswich and Lowestoft having municipal public transport systems. The problems which the two local authorities are facing are similar in many respects and reflect on a smaller scale the problems involved in the provision of public transport services in much larger urban centres in other areas. Particular attention is paid to the problems of public transport operation in Lowestoft. Wherever possible suggestions are made for possible courses of action which the operators might take to alleviate, if not solve, some of the problems which they are facing.