Around 1.3 million bus journeys across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will continue to be protected after full council approved ongoing subsidies to support the local network.
BCP Council has been working with Morebus to secure services that would not operate without financial support, with key routes including the Route One, the 18 and the 36 highlighted as priorities by nearly 3000 residents who responded to a public consultation.
Changes will affect two school specific routes with historically low use. The 40 service from Hamworthy to St Edward’s and St Mary’s schools will stop at the end of the current academic year as it is closely replicated by the 8 and 9, while the 425 will end after the 2026 and 2027 school year and the 46 and 81 will merge.
Councillor David Brown said ninety one per cent of passengers were satisfied with local services and described it as a fantastic result, placing the area among the top three nationally. Councillors Karen Rampton and Joe Salmon raised concerns about funding and long term sustainability, while Councillor Millie Earl said government settlement funding had reduced.
The subsidies were approved by consensus.
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