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News

Proposed Wilts and Dorset Bus Service Changes

Wilts & Dorset Bus Company has notified the Borough of Poole of significant changes to their route network which will be introduced on 4 June 2006 as part of the company’s programme of rationalisation and simplification of bus services to improve their financial performance and reduce costs.

For many residents of the Borough, the changes will mean an improved service with extra buses, more direct routes and improved reliability. However, for others the changes will result in a loss or reduction of service unless the Council is able to provide replacement services through subsidy.

Councillor Ron Parker, Portfolio Holder for the Local Economy including Transportation, said: “It is the Council’s policy to consider gaps in the public transport network which result in reduced accessibility to essential services and facilities and taking into account the enhanced provision of community transport. However, the Council has limited resources to support bus services. The Borough of Poole already provides over £600,000 subsidy per annum, representing 1% of Council Tax, for bus services where bus companies are not prepared to operate commercially. These include school buses, services operating in the evenings and on Sundays and other off-peak services. This subsidy is in addition to the £1.4m forecast expenditure to cover the first year’s costs of the new free travel “Connect” scheme for residents aged 60 or more and younger people with qualifying disabilities”.

John McVey, Passenger Transport Manager, said: “It is disappointing that Wilts & Dorset are making these changes before the effects of the free concessionary fares scheme have been fully assessed. Over 21,000 residents have recently been issued with their bus passes, but, as a consequence of these revisions they may face reduced or withdrawn bus routes. However, the Council recognises the financial constraints facing Wilts & Dorset and that the regulations they are required to operate within make them unable to cross-subsidise their routes”.

“The Council is urgently working with the bus companies to provide a limited number of replacement services on a temporary basis until the end of September pending a further review. However, this cannot be the same level of service as at present and it will not be financially possible to replace all the withdrawn routes”.

The Borough of Poole will publish full details of the replacement services in the local press and on the website at www.boroughofpoole.com as soon as the information is available later in the month.

John McVey, Passenger Transport Manager, Borough of Poole