Liz Jarvis MP calls on Hampshire County Council to urgently restore cancelled bus routes

Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis, has written to the leader of Hampshire County Council to call for the urgent action to restore the cancelled 61 service, that previously served Boyatt Wood and Allbrook in her constituency, and the 46 route, which served Valley Park. 

Next week, Hampshire County Council’s Universal Services will make amendments to the authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which aims to grow and improve bus provision throughout the county. As part of the Government’s National Bus Strategy, all Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) are required to work with local bus operators to create Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) which unlocks additional funding. 

Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said: 

“As Hampshire County Council look to expand bus provision, my constituents who have seen vital routes cancelled in recent years will be looking for assurances that these routes will be considered to be reinstated. For some, these routes were their main mode of transport to get to the hospital, work, college, shops, and to see friends and family, forcing them to find alternative means of transport or not travel at all. 

“While the goal of increasing overall bus usage is admirable, targeting investment on towards the strongest parts of the commercial bus network in urban areas will not help the villages and parishes who are increasingly finding themselves cut off.”