Residents bemoan Hampshire's 'expensive, unreliable and infrequent' bus service as staff shortages and cuts rage on

Residents in Hampshire have been left frustrated by scaled-back services over the past few months, with Stagecoach blaming sickness and the lasting effects of the pandemic for the issues.

People have reported being stuck at bus stops for hours on end after last minute schedule alterations have scuppered their travel plans.

Others have said prices are simply too high as the pinch of the cost of living crisis begins to take effect.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “As with many industries across the country, we are continuing to face a short-term staffing situation that is out of our control due to the shortage of professional drivers.

"As a result, this is having an impact on our bus services.

"Our team are working incredibly hard given the current circumstances to ensure the vast majority of local services are running.

"We are also taking proactive steps to alleviate the situation by recruiting new drivers and are focused on getting our new team members through our training programmes and on the road as soon as we can."

Also in Hampshire, Xelabus, which serves destinations across Basingstoke, Eastleigh and Southampton, has announced "radical" changes across its network following consultation with the county council.

A host of routes which connect areas such as Chandler's Ford, Bishop's Waltham and Eastleigh are due for the chop in early September.

The company said the changes are in response to rising costs such as fuel and patronage not returning to pre-pandemic levels.

READ MORE: Reactions to bus shortages

A spokesperson added: "We do not remove bus services lightly and look at all potential solutions such as reduction of frequencies thus reducing number of buses required and mileage. With increasing costs and less passengers travelling we have to make the changes in order for the company to be sustainable."

The county council recently sought residents’ and stakeholders’ views on proposed changes to supported passenger transport services and the Concessionary Travel Scheme in Hampshire.

It could see fees introduced, changes to services and cuts to back-office functions.

The authority said the proposals are being made in the light of 'continued significant pressures on local authority budgets'.

The consultation is now closed, and civic chiefs are expected to publish their findings later this year.

However the move has not been popular, especially among pensioners who fear their bus passes may be cut - or that they will be forced to pay at a time when they are facing a rising cost of living.

Chris O'Neill, chair of Hampshire Unison Retired Members Section, said: "In the name of the social evil that is austerity, we are offered yet another ‘initiative’ by HCC, adding to cutbacks already totalling half a billion pounds.

"They claim that they are conducting a consultation for changes to bus passes and concessionary travel. This is disingenuous.

"The consultative document consisting of 22 pages offers a number of changes, all of which are detrimental to current concessionary travel for, amongst others, the disabled, elderly and isolated.

"It makes clear that if their proposals are rejected others will be implemented, as come what may, reductions to the budget will be made.

"It brings to mind the simile ‘I intend to punch you. Would you prefer the blow in your face or stomach?’

"Pensioners, who this mainly affects, are in the later stages of their lives, a time when often they face many challenges such as failing sight, hearing, and mobility. For some it means a slow retreat into a very dark place.

"If this wasn’t enough, with fast rising inflation they face savage rising costs and devaluation of any savings they might have.

"These proposals are potentially life changing and destructive for many in Hampshire."

Councillor Humby, Leader of Hampshire County Council said: “We’re sorry to hear about the experiences of bus users in the Winchester and Basingstoke areas. However, decisions by bus operators to withdraw, reduce or cancel services are taken by bus operators, independently of local authorities. These decisions are not taken lightly, and the industry is under significant financial pressure at present.

“This is by no means just a Winchester or Basingstoke issue, as bus operators across Hampshire are suffering from increasing operating costs and acute shortages of bus drivers. Indeed, it is a national issue that is resulting in many bus operators being unable to maintain full services around the country.

“The situation has caused some Hampshire bus operators to withdraw or reduce the number of services they operate, sometimes with very little notice.

“We are committed to supporting bus services but the Government decision to provide no additional funding for the Hampshire Bus Service Improvement Plan means we have extremely limited funding available to help even in the short term. However, the County Council will continue to work with bus operators to try to help mitigate the impact of withdrawn or reduced services wherever possible.”

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