North-East Hampshire villages have public transport link restored
A community taxishare service will now serve villages after they lost bus service
Part of a bus route to Newbury that was stopped last August is now being served by a community taxishare service, after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council stepped in with funding.
People who live in north-west Hampshire including Highclere, Woolton Hill, Penwood, Burghclere, Sydmonton and Ecchinswell can again travel by public transport into Newbury using a pre-booked taxishare service.
The Stagecoach 7/7a bus service was withdrawn last year, after Hampshire County Council decided to prioritise a small number of routes where demand is high and which are interlinked with services providing statutory school transport. This decision followed a consultation to look at savings to address significant budget shortfalls.
To ensure public transport continues to serve those areas in Basingstoke and Deane affected by the loss in bus service, the borough council has stepped in with funding to expand an existing community taxishare from Ashmansworth to Newbury.
Fully funded by the borough council and managed by the county council, it runs Mondays and Fridays except bank holidays to Newbury in the morning and returning from Newbury in the afternoon. Journeys must be booked in advance by residents. If the service is not booked, it will not run that day.
Enhanced
The borough council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Cllr Andy Konieczko said: “We didn’t support the cut in funding for this bus service, which provides a vital link for residents in the north-west of our borough to their nearest town centre, Newbury.
“We asked the county council, as the transport authority, to find a solution that would help to meet the needs of our residents. They have extended the route of an existing community taxishare service we already fund and we are picking up the additional costs for the enhanced service.
“While it is not the borough council's responsibility to provide public transport, we understand the importance to our residents in rural areas, particularly those without a vehicle, of being able to use affordable and sustainable transport to access shops and other town centre services and activities. This helps to reduce social isolation and supports wellbeing. I’m delighted we have found a solution for those affected residents, who I hope will take the opportunity to use this transport service we are funding.”
People wishing to use the taxishare must register with Hampshire County Council by calling 01962 846785 or emailing [email protected]