A NEW and improved bus service timetable will be introduced for a popular Basingstoke route.

From Sunday, May 5, bus operator Stagecoach South will be introducing changes to the Basingstoke to Newbury service. 

To celebrate, on the first four Sundays and May Bank Holidays the buses will be completely free to use.

Service 32, previously known as Link, will run seven days a week, improving connections for communities along the route, including Kingsclere, Headley and Greenham.

Buses will run every hour Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays.

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Basingstoke Gazette: Stagecoach Basingstoke depot managers Jon Beckley (engineering) and Kerry Mansfield (operations)Stagecoach Basingstoke depot managers Jon Beckley (engineering) and Kerry Mansfield (operations) (Image: Stagecoach South)

Kerry Mansfield, operations manager for Stagecoach in Basingstoke, said: “Service 32 provides an important and direct cross-boundary link along the A339 between Basingstoke and Newbury. We’re really pleased to add extra trips to this busy route, making it even easier to leave the car at home and explore our region by bus.

“Our buses are still part of the Government’s £2 single fare cap. A trip on the bus is already great value – but we’re going one step further with free travel on Service 32 on Sundays and Bank Holidays throughout May. We look forward to welcoming customers on board!”

In addition to the new Sunday timetable, more buses will run at weekday peak times and later into the evening too.

The service improvements have been made possible thanks to Department for Transport Bus Service Improvement funding, delivered in partnership between Hampshire County Council and West Berkshire Council.

To find out more about these changes and to download the timetable, visit stagecoachbus.com.