Major shake up of county’s bus timetables is proposed
A major shake up of the bus timetables in West Sussex is being proposed with plans for hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cuts in the pipeline.
West Sussex County Council has announced it is cutting £300,000 from its bus route subsidy after facing ‘unprecedented financial challenges’.
It explained it was making the cuts due to a decrease in funding from central government and a bigger demand for services but would still be subsidising £2.27m worth of routes.
The council has released a list of proposed changes to routes across the county including plans to axe many ‘poorly used’ services.
But the proposals have been met with dismay from Lib Dem councillors.
Kate O’Kelly, Lib Dem county councillor for Midhurst, who has lead the opposition to the cuts said: “Young people getting to school and college, working age people getting to work and our elderly residents all rely on our buses.
“There is a real chance that this decision will lead to more social isolation which will cost the council more in the long run.”
Lib Dem Kirsty Lord, county councillor for Hassocks and Burgess Hill South, said: “Residents repeatedly tell us that they want better services so that they can get around more easily.
“Buses are more environmentally friendly than cars and can reduce road congestion.
“These cuts show a lack of understanding of resident’s wishes and environmental short-sightedness”
Alison Bennett, the
Lib Dems’ prospective parliamentary candidate for Arundel and South Downs, added: “In a rural constituency like Arundel & South Downs it cannot be overestimated how important bus services are.
“Cutting bus services may save money from the council’s bottom line, but it will deepen the very real but all too often hidden problem of rural poverty.”
Roger Elkins, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “We have been working really hard to try to limit the impact this will have for passengers and I would like to thank the bus operators, district and parish councils and community groups who have been working with us on this.
“It’s important to stress that we are continuing to subsidise bus services in the county and, in the majority of cases where there are route changes, an alternative bus will be available fairly nearby.
“Last year, our bus user survey received more than 4,300 responses and we have been using this to help understand which services were of the greatest benefit to residents, so we could do everything possible to minimise the effect of the changes.
“Before the changes happen, we will be working with local communities to see what can be done to help any residents who don’t have alternative transport.”
If community organisations want to get involved to help they can email buses@ westsussex.gov.uk
For a full list of the proposed changes, turn to page 5.