Theresa Villiers has taken her campaign to bring back the 84 bus to the top by holding a high level meeting with Richard Holden MP, the Transport Minister responsible for buses.
The Barnet MP and the Minister discussed the 84 in Westminster last week, and Mr Holden indicated that recent Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding given by the Government to Hertfordshire County Council could be used for bringing back services like the 84, if the council chooses to do that.
He also promised to contact both Hertfordshire County Council and Transport for London to try to broker a solution.
Speaking after the meeting, Theresa said, “This was an encouraging meeting. Minister Holden said that there was flexibility regarding the BSIP funding awarded by the Government to Hertfordshire County Council, so it can be used to support the return of the cancelled 84 service. This is very good news and I have already passed this on to the leader of Hertfordshire Council to ask if this could mean a return of the 84 service from Potters Bar to Barnet.”
“It’s clear that TfL is not taking people’s concerns about the lost 84 service nearly seriously enough. So I welcome the promise by the Minister that he will raise this issue with them.”
“I will be keeping up the pressure on the Government, on Herts CC, and on TfL to find a solution to bring back the 84 service to Barnet.”
The 84 route from Potters Bar to New Barnet was discontinued in April last year after bus operator Metroline decided it was no longer commercially viable. Theresa has been lobbying Herts CC, TfL and the Government to bring back the service. She recently met representatives of all three. She is working with Hertsmere MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, who also wants the service restored.
