THE owner of an independent bus firm is raising funds to rescue key services between Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford due to be axed later this year.

Bus firm Xelabus has announced it will end its X6, X7, X8, X15 and X17 services in September due to rising costs and a declining number of passengers since the pandemic.

But Eastleigh businessman Simon Gard is determined to step in so people relying on those routes will not be impacted.

The 36-year-old launched his own bus company, MiniLink, last year - running routes between Southampton city centre and Bitterne.

After being approached by concerned residents, he's now hoping to expand.

Simon said: “We were approached by community groups in the area looking at the services between Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford following another operator withdrawing services from the area.

“We looked to see if there was any local authority funding available, but at the moment Hampshire County Council is looking to cut funding to local bus services in the area.

“It was suggested to raise funds to get the project off the ground."

Simon is now fundraising to run a six-month trial in the hope the service will become sustainable.

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A spokesperson from Eastleigh Borough Council said: “Eastleigh Borough Council will not fund any savings that are made by Hampshire County Council but we continue to work in partnership with other organisations including Parish Councils to explore options for alternative transport provision in areas that are most affected, including Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury, Netley, Hamble and Bursledon.”

Cllr Keith House, leader of the council, added: “At a time when the cost-of-living crisis and petrol prices are already making transport harder for so many of our residents, this lack of backing of buses is very bad news for residents across the county. 

“I welcome any new entrant to the bus market trying to plug these gaps and we at Eastleigh Borough will do all we can to help publicise new services."

Hampshire County Council says Xelabus' cuts are the result of a "business decision".

However, lack of funding from central government will have an impact in the future.

Cllr Edward Heron, Executive Lead Member for Transport and Environment Strategy, said: “Regardless of the county council’s support, Xelabus has made an independent business decision to stop operating some of its commercial bus services, despite our offer of financial assistance to at least the end of the financial year.

“The company’s decision was influenced by the decline in passenger numbers, which have not yet returned to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels. 

“Earlier this year, the County Council submitted a strong case for funding for its Bus Service Improvement Plan to the Government (Department for Transport).

“Unfortunately, the Department for Transport decided not to award any funding to over half the county transport authorities in England, including Hampshire, from the £1.3 billion funding available nationally, which means the County Council will not be able to deliver the proposed improvements we agree are important to support and develop public transport in Hampshire.

“Without additional Government funding to help us support local bus services we will almost certainly need to reduce the support we provide currently for other local bus services.

“We are continuing to work, however, with Eastleigh Borough Council towards alternative provision for services in the borough.”

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