Nearly 6,000 responses have been received so far on the review of subsidised bus services in Wiltshire, but there is still plenty of time for people to have their say.
The review is being carried out as part of wider plans to help Wiltshire Council save millions of pounds over the next three years – although no savings are planned from the transport budget this year.
Half of the bus mileage in the county is subsidised with £5.1 million per year from Wiltshire Council as it is not commercially viable otherwise. The rest of the services in Wiltshire are operated on a commercial basis by various operators.
Philip Whitehead, cabinet member for transport said, “I would like to thank everyone who’s taken part so far. Each response is hugely valued and will help shape how our bus services run in the future. I would encourage anyone who is yet to submit their thoughts, to do so. This is about creating sustainable public transport for Wiltshire for years to come.”
People can take part at consult.wiltshire.gov.uk paper copies can be picked up in council offices, libraries, on buses operating contracted services, or people can call 0300 456 0100 to have one posted to them. It runs until Monday 4th April.
The review will also consider how community transport might be able to assist with public transport, and will be accompanied by continuing work to identify savings in other areas of the council’s passenger transport spending.
Once the consultation ends, a report will go to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet members to make a decision.
