Lib-Dems Back Bus Subsidy

12.00.00pm GMT Mon 14th Dec 2009

Newly-elected Earley Town Councillor Steve Scarrott at an Earley bus stop

Wokingham Liberal Democrats have welcomed the borough council's decision to provide funding for bus services in Woodley and Earley, previously cut by Reading Buses, to be retained. The one year subsidy, approved last Thursday, will secure the future of the No 62, the No 22 and the No 83 bus routes.

Cllr Prue Bray, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Wokingham Borough Council, said, 'We are especially pleased to see the Number 62 service saved. Our recent bus survey showed that this particular service is seen as a lifeline by many residents. However, this is not a completely satisfactory solution, as people in Mohawk Way will see their off peak service reduce from four buses an hour to one an hour, whilst Earley residents will see their off peak service halved.'

Cllr Phil Challis, Wokingham Borough Councillor for Loddon, said: 'The Conservatives must make sure that Wokingham Borough Council is not held to ransom by bus companies again. They must make sure that the contracts awarded are well written and ensure that when business picks up again, as we emerge from recession, that the services can be restored without the need for subsidies. It is also important that we get accurate figures on the number of users, ticket sales and income from the operators in this contract so that everyone can see the value of these routes to the community.'