Increased bus use a stunning success

Stagecoach has seen a 20 per cent rise on one of the main routes since it boosted its service. Now other routes could be in line for an increased service after the success.

The company invested the seven-figure sum by putting 12 new vehicles on routes serving Winnall, Stanmore, Harestock and Badger Farm.

One route saw a 20 per cent rise after bus frequency was increased from four to six an hour on the service for Winnall-city centre-Badger Farm.

Councillors were told of the success at the Winchester Highways and Transport Panel.

City councillor Patrick Davies said the news was "stunning" and showed that people would use buses if they were confident they would not have a long wait.

He said: "If we have buses that run every ten minutes, people don't have to check the times, they can just turn up."

Andrew Dyer, managing director of Stagecoach South, praised council investment adding: "Route five has seen the most spectacular increase. We are very, very encouraged by the extra passengers. It was not a complete surprise as we had a similar experience in Portsmouth. This is a perfect example of partnership working between the public and the private sector."

The success story means that more routes could be in line for an increased service including the Harestock-Stanmore route.

Cllr Davies also praised Solent Blue Line for increasing services between Winchester and Southampton.

A report circulated at the panel revealed that other bus services in the district had improved. Saturday services have returned to the villages of Littleton, Shawford, and Compton End. It also revealed that Wilts and Dorset buses were running again during off peak hours between Winchester and Salisbury.

About 80 per cent of services in Hampshire are run commercially, while 20 per cent receive county council subsidies. A report stated that £733,819 of public subsidy is paid annually to bus companies in the Winchester area.