A bus company has reassured parents that a school route will continue until the end of the academic year.

Xelabus has reported that its X9A route, which is used by schoolchildren, will continue its service for the remaining terms until the end of July 2023.

“Our commercial service X9A will continue and provides a major link for students travelling to Swanmore,” Xelabus said.

The X9A serves Fair Oak, Horton Heath, Grange Park, Hedge End, Botley, Durley, Ashton Corner, Bishops Waltham and Swanmore to and from the college.

In January, Xelabus notified the county council of its intention to terminate the X10/X9 service.

The X10 service will be replaced by route 49 if Hampshire County Council’s executive lead member for universal services, Cllr Nick Adams-King, approves the tender on Monday, March 13.

If the contract is confirmed, the new service would offer five round-trip opportunities to Bishop’s Waltham, Swanmore, Waltham Chase, Durley, West End, Botley and Hedge End.

Therefore, students can use routes 49 and X9A as lifts to college.

Only those students identified as eligible within the council’s Home to School Transport Policy will benefit from this new service that includes at-school times (am and pm journeys).

Cllr Adams-King said: "I've been contacted by a number of parents concerned at the continuation of the service which allows their children to access Swanmore College. As the parent of children who use the county's school and college bus services myself I recognise how stressful uncertainty can be. 

"I'm pleased to see the commitment from Xelabus to continue a service until the end of the school year and will certainly be taking the comments I've received from parents into account when I make my decision on Monday."