Bus Routes Reviewed

Buses – on demand may be a feature of public transport as budget deficits force more likely cuts. 

Following a report Leicestershire County Council is to review  more than 20 bus routes either fully subsidised by the county council or part-subsidised along with commercial operators. 

What the council is calling a “perfect storm” of challenges including significant and continued reduced bus use, fuel increases and driver shortages and the blow of missing out on government funding towards the county’s Bus Service Improvement Plan mean a £1Million gap in the transport budget must be plugged. 

County Council cabinet member for highways and transport Councillor Ozzy O’Shea said:  

“Some residents may still have access to an alternative service”.  

Much concern has already been caused recently by Kinch buses reducing the number two service from Loughborough to Leicester stopping it at Sileby. Commuters to Leicester have to now first take a bus to Loughborough to get a connection

“Where residents are left without access (over 800 metres) to an alternative service, we’ll look at providing a demand responsive transport service to cater for travel to essential services,” said Cllr O’Shea. 

“When we reach out to communities which are affected, we’ll be asking for feedback about times, frequency and community-specific factors.”