Residents need ‘better bus service’

People living in one of the Hampshire waterside villages have said they need a better bus service to stop them being ‘cut off’ from basic services.

Bluestar changed the route of its number 9 service in September, meaning Calshot now has only six buses on weekdays instead of an hourly service.

Older residents in particular have said they cannot get to shops or medical appointments because they are reliant on the free pensioner bus pass, which is only valid after 09 30 (9.30 a.m.).

Bluestar boss Andrew Wickham said customer numbers on the waterside services had been ‘slower to bounce back’ after the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) lockdowns ended.