Hampshire County Council is urging residents to make their views known on options for applying budget reductions to subsidies for public transport, and on reducing street lighting, before the consultation closes on Sunday 5 August.
Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said “With less than three weeks left now until the public consultation closes, I would urge anyone who currently uses a subsidised bus route to let us know how they use it so we can make informed decisions.
“Just over 2000 people have responded so far; our teams have discussed the consultation in passenger transport forums across the county, we’ve contacted Older Persons’ Forums and Disability groups, handed out information at bus stations and on buses, and are grateful for Age Concern’s Village Agent Service which is helping ensure local communities know about it.
“So if there anyone who is thinking about responding to us but hasn’t got round to it yet, please do so as your views count.”
Bus use in Hampshire is close to a 20 year high, and the vast majority of journeys are made on commercial services operating without any public subsidy.While 89% of bus services in Hampshire run without public subsidy, pressure on services means the County Council is looking at how to reduce subsidies to support those bus services which are not commercially viable to contribute to savings.
The County Council is particularly keen to hear from people who use subsidised bus routes about potential changes: a full list of these services is available in the information pack online.
Community Transport schemes, such as Dial-a-Ride, Call and Go, Taxishares and Minibus Group Hire Schemes are not included in these proposals. People are also asked whether the discretionary discount for holders of older persons’ bus passes on community transport should be continued.
The County Council is also asking residents their views on proposals to switch off some street lights for two or more hours during the night.This would mean that some areas of the county would have no street lighting for a period of the night time.
Further information and the online questionnaire are available at:www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations
