Web forum: Bus stops and smoke starts

Oct 6 2009 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GETTING around town has got a little easier recently.

The little free bus that tootles about at regular intervals is carrying more than 30,000 passengers a month.

There are now talks going on to make it run on a Sunday or even increase its route.

Despondent had his own views on the merits of the service: “Glad to see the free town bus is doing so well despite the town’s decline as a shopping venue.

“Another 12 months and it could be advertised as Free Town Ghost Tours to equal York.”

So, the town’s a problem, but even the design of the buses doesn’t float Despondent’s boat: “Problem with buses, free or not, is that once a pushchair is aboard they are not really shopper friendly.

“The small luggage areas over the front wheels are inadequate with one usually utilised for holding the free newspaper, so on one hand we have people refraining from buying bulky items in the town, others shying away from mucky, unsafe taxis and then we have our anti-car council.

“No wonder town centre shops are struggling.”

Good grief – it’s all a bit bleak isn’t it.

On a cheerier note, the latest figures show a drop in hospital admissions for heart attacks following the smoking ban.

Otis said: “I always feel sympathy for the little groups outside the pub door. It makes me think of the homeless under the railway arches or the photos of the early suffragettes clinging together for support or even the illegal immigrant camps outside Calais.”

Newcomer Sassylady41 had her own views: “I am a smoker, but can honestly say it doesn’t bother me that I have to go outside as I have been doing that for years at home.

“But I think it’s a great shame that so many pubs have had to close because of it. The problem is a lot of pubs have not got the room outside for a smoking area so people have no choice but to congregate around the entrance.”

Phil3 is having none of the camaraderie: “The health benefits cannot be argued with, however, the smoking ban has not had a massive impact on people giving up. It has simply sent the smokers outside into antisocial little groups getting in everyone’s way, and leaving their tabs on the pavement.”