BASINGSTOKE residents have voiced their concerns over proposed changes to bus services.

The plans could see residents forced to pay more, as well as operational changes and cuts to back-office functions.

Hampshire County Council said the proposals are being made in the light of ‘continued significant pressures on local authority budgets’.

For many people, bus services provide a vital link between the city centre and surrounding areas.

These proposed changes come at a time when bus services are being forced to re-evaluate bus routes after they have come under pressure from a lack of drivers and rising operating costs.

Members of the public have mostly reacted to the proposals with a mix of shock and anger.

Jemma Grygier said: "I've not used a bus pass, but I know quite a few elderly people who use bus passes.

"They've worked hard enough and that's something that came with the whole retirement thing so it's just another extra cost that they're having to pay out when they already have other things going on.

"And cutting the services, I know they've done it on and off for years, but where I live there is one bus route that comes through and that's only every hour, so if that's one of the ones that gets the chop, it's really going to affect a lot of people".

READ MORE: Cllr Andy McCormick says planned bus service cuts are wrong

Joyce and Jim Marshall were equally upset about the changes to bus passes.

Joyce said: "I'm not happy about it. We've worked long enough for it!"

Jim said: "We'll not bother coming to town, we'll have to use the car more."

Greg Freeman called the changes "a bit weird".

He said: "I don't like the sound of it. I don't have a bus pass, but it's just weird.

Antonio Ghigeanu said the changes are "not okay".

He said: "I use the number 6, and it's already not very often, so I have to wait in, imagine it's summer, 37 degrees outside, sitting in the bus station for 15, 20 minutes, and every time they are late. So, obviously, I don't agree with this."

Dominic Eworo had mixed thoughts on the changes. He said: "I don't see anything different from what we have now."

Hampshire County Council has recently held a consultation on the proposed changes, which will be discussed by councillors.

Councillor Edward Heron, executive lead member for transport, said: “I’d like to reassure service users especially, that no decisions have been made.

“We will endeavour to minimise the impact on passengers from any changes that may be agreed at a later date however, it is essential that we find ways to do things differently and with reduced costs.”

The council has said that it will continue to meet its statutory duties and to work in partnership with bus operators to secure a network of bus services for residents across Hampshire within the resources available.

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.

Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.

Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.

Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.

Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.