Andover residents angry over proposed changes to buses

The plans could see residents forced to pay additional fees, as well as operational changes and cuts to back-office functions.

Hampshire County Council said that the proposals are being made in light of “continued significant pressures on local authority budgets.”

Members of the public have mostly reacted to the proposals with a mix of shock and anger.

Andover resident Martin Dermont said: “A bus pass is a bus pass; it should be free.

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“I understand, a lot of people have bus passes and it’s got to be paid for, the bus service.

“I don’t mind paying a couple of quid, it’ll depend on what the distance is and the rest of it.”

Ian Griffin said that he’s “against” the changes.

Ian Griffin He continued: “I think people that have bus passes, like myself, we’ve worked all our lives and a little at the end of life I think is what we should be getting.

“If you have got a bus pass, I think you should still be able to take it and not pay for it.

“I’m fine, I don’t have an issue with any of it, but I think it would be a tragedy if they did start charging and I wouldn’t be happy with it.”

Georgina Bond said that she thought the changes are “unfair”, saying: “I don’t agree.

“I don’t think it’s right.”

Georgina Bond

Test Valley borough councillor for Andover St Mary’s ward, Cllr Iris Anderson, said: “The way I see it, what are the pensioners getting? Gradually, everything has been taken away from them.

“The bus service is a lifeline, especially for people in more rural areas.

“I know [the council] are trying to tell everybody to cycle and walk, and I approve of that, but what about people who are disabled or can’t cycle or walk?

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“With the cost of living going up, heat and fuel prices rising, what cost is this going to put on people?

“Instead of going forwards, we are going backwards.”

HCC has recently held a consultation on the proposed changes, which will be discussed by councillors.

The council has said that it will continue to meet its statutory duties and to work in partnership with bus operators to secure a network of bus services for residents across Hampshire within the resources available.

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