Bus route between Basingstoke and Deane will be terminated next month

A bus service which provided a transport link between Basingstoke and Deane has been scrapped after it failed to attract enough passengers.

Despite only having been launched in January, the number 56 bus service is to be axed just months later. The route offered a public transport link for those living on the outskirts of town, however many OAPs using travel tokens have been making use of the service, and these concessionary fares do not generate enough revenue to keep the route up and running.

Steventon Transport Service who operate the route say the service is not a viable business option as it simply doesn’t generate enough money to cover its costs. The previous route had been subsidised by the council, and after they withdrew their investment, STS decided to keep the service going. However after the lack of passenger numbers, the company have now decided to terminate the route on April 17^th.

Local councillors had spoken out to encourage more people to make use of the bus service in order to ensure its survival. Although 700 passengers used the service during February, unfortunately it was too little too late, the service will be discontinued.

The authorities will be setting up an alternative community bus to offer a transport link to those who relied on the route. Locals have to call up to book a ride on the bus. The service will be subsidised by the council but it will cost more than a bus fare.