People can have say on bus cuts
A public consultation has been set up over proposed cuts to 11 “supported” bus services around Kent.
Local services in the county are at risk from Kent County Council’s plans to reduce its £6m budget for services to £4.3million.
Currently, there are 127 bus contracts supported by KCC, including a mix of support and funding for specific journeys, such as on Sundays.
Now, the county council is asking for residents to share their views on the proposed reduction of its bus services.
It proposes to cut about 48 contracts, making around 37% of the total number of services supported by KCC.
The KCC document shows that in Maidstone and Malling the biggest saving will come from the X1/ X2 services between the County Town and West Malling/Kings Hill.
Services at risk include Maidstone to Grafty Green, the X1/X2 weekday services between Kings Hill and Maidstone and the 208/209 from East Peckham, near Tonbridge, to Pembury. A supported bus service is one not economically viable for private bus operators to run themselves, but regarded as socially important. Councils can step in to plug the gaps for services.
This includes Kent Karrier, a dial-a-ride service which provides cheap travel for the elderly, residents who live in rural areas and those with serious health conditions.
Notably the small village of Detling village faces the possibility of being cut off completely. A petition has been set up by Green Party campaigner Stuart Jeffery to reconsider the cuts. KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, David Brazier said the council had to take some ‘very tough decisions.’
The consultation closes on Wednesday, April 20. See kent.gov.uk/bussavings