On November 7 2022 Conservative-controlled Hampshire County Council decided to save £800,000 from its Passenger Transport services - by cutting bus services.

In our area this means BIG changes to the bus service linking our rural communities in Barton Stacey and Longparish - who use the C4 bus to Andover.

Apparently a ‘Demand responsive transport service’ or ‘taxi share service’ will be provided instead of a bus - but no firm details have yet been shared officially as to what this looks like.

As far as residents are aware, the C4 service was due to stop on April 1 - but that is now not certain as the council are still completing their ‘taxi share’ procurement process.

This delay is good news and allows residents to keep using the bus AND take the opportunity to ask some detailed questions.  As a starter, perhaps the council could advise residents on the following?
•    What is the timetable for the procurement process of the ‘Taxi Share Service’?
•    What are the savings generated by the removal of just the C4 service?
•    What is the proposed budget for the new Taxi Service?
•    What is the procurement brief for the Taxi Share service and does this fit the needs of residents?  
•    Has any consultation taken place with regular users of the C4 from Barton Stacey and Longparish to inform the Taxi share service concept?
•    Can the ‘taxi share’ take children in prams and buggies? If not, why not – the bus does.
•    What is the proposed charging scheme for the Taxi Share service and how does this compare to the C4 Bus service, including use of Bus passes?
•    What is the proposed timetable and days of operation for the Taxi Share service? How will it be booked?
•    How many passengers can fit on the taxi share vehicle at one time?
•    What is the marketing and publicity plan to ensure all potential users are aware of the new offer?
•    What Notice period has been provided to Stage Coach for the C4 termination and is there a cut off date when they will cease operations irrespective of any other service being ready?

And perhaps most importantly, has anyone at County Hall taken a broader view on the potential of diverting any of the current bus services that pass by Barton Stacey and Longparish, so that some form of bus service can continue?

Duncan Clark,

Test Valley Liberal Democrats,

Roberts Road,

Barton Stacey