WE have been trying to negotiate things with the bus company Stagecoach.

The money is very limited to stretch around and is running out for all kinds of different bus services.

Did I not hear this in the King’s Speech of 17th July:

  • Remove barriers that limit bus-franchising powers to Metro Mayors.
  • Remove the ban on publicly owned bus companies.
  • Provide more accountability over bus operators.
  • Give local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding.

The leader of Test Valley Borough Council who is also a Hampshire County councillor along with other TVBC and HCC councillors have been working hard negotiating with Stagecoach bus company.

READ MORE: Residents upset after major bus route and timing changes in Andover

The leader of Hampshire County Council is urging the bus provider to think again after it cut services to a sixth form college in Winchester.

We are trying to keep our local services that travel around the areas of the town, local estates and villages.

In 2022 people from Andover hit out at the lack of services and proposed cuts to bus routes, timetables and funding across Hampshire. With Stagecoach blaming sickness and the lasting effects of the pandemic for the issues.

In 2023 The Cango bus services which had to be booked run by Stagecoach ceased operation after being given notice by Hampshire County Council to end the service. It was temporally replaced by a service that was more demand-responsive, using taxis which still had to be booked.

In 2024 we are now going suffer more cut backs to our services. It has been said that the adjustments are part of a broader initiative funded by the Government Bus Service Improvement Plan in collaboration with Hampshire County Council.

Some people have said they can not make it to the bus stops on the route that has been suggested by Stagecoach.

My concerns are for the elderly and disabled people that can not walk very far. Once they are in town on a bus, they can hire a disability buggy from Unity which is right next to Andover bus station.

I do not want to see people isolated any more than they are now.

Was there any public consultation on this matter of the new routes and timetables?

I have asked Stagecoach if they can do a bus service Saturday morning that they are doing on the routes Monday to Fridays.