David Ruffley MP will be holding a crisis meeting with transport bosses from First Eastern Counties Buses, Suffolk County Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council to discuss the bus service in Bury St Edmunds on Friday 8 September at 3pm.

David Ruffley has not shied from taking First Eastern Counties Buses to task over the level of service they provide and is keen to receive an update on the state of Bury St Edmunds' bus network, which is still a source of concern to his constituents.

David will be joined at the meeting by Philip Seago, First Eastern Operations Director, David Marshall, First Eastern Finance Director, Alan Turner, Deputy Town Mayor of Bury St Edmunds, and a representative from the office of Suffolk County Council Portfolio Holder for Roads and Transport, Guy McGregor.

David said:

'My constituents in and around Bury St Edmunds deserve a first rate bus service and in the past this simply has not been the case.

'I will make quite clear to the First Eastern representatives that running a reliable and responsive service for my constituents must be a top priority for them. Buses are not run for the convenience of the company; they are run for the convenience of my constituents who must be able to rely on buses turning up on time in our fast moving town.

'I hope that following the meeting I will have a clear picture of the direction public transport is taking in Bury St Edmunds and some clear commitments from First Eastern. There is a lot of talk locally that we need a new bus operator and I am sure that this is a question that will be raised at the meeting.'