Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has held a beneficial meeting with the Regional Director of First to discuss the recent changes to local bus services.
During the meeting, which was also attended by Cllrs Alan Scard and Graham Burgess, Marc Reddy of First gave a detailed explanation of the current situation. The former number 9 service through Alverstoke and Anglesey was subsidised by a developer grant which has now come to an end and at present, demand is not high enough for First to fund the route commercially.
Instead the company has sought a subsidy from Hampshire County Council for the new number 11 route which will serve the area on a less frequent basis. Unfortunately, the company is unable to use the profits generated by a popular bus route to subsidise more frequent provision of a service which already receives external funding.
Speaking after the meeting, Caroline commented:
"For many people, local buses are an invaluable lifeline so I understand the frustrations of the residents not only in Anglesey and Alverstoke but also in Lee-on-the-Solent and Rowner, which have been negatively impacted by recent re-routing.
Last week's meeting was very productive and I am hopeful that with a little bit of creative thinking we may be able to improve the provision of buses across the Gosport peninsula. I will continue to keep pressure on First and will be holding meetings with Hampshire County Council and others in the coming weeks."
Since First's announcement was made last month, Caroline has been in regular contact with company bosses, Gosport Borough Councillors and Hampshire County Councillors trying to find a solution to the situation.