Gloucestershire axes nine rural bus routes for flexible service

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Gloucestershire County Council is scrapping nine heavily subsidised rural bus routes due to low passenger demand and high costs.

Gloucestershire County Council is withdrawing nine rural bus routes due to low passenger demand and high operating costs. The services affected are the 23a/35a, 632, 656, 679, 693, 701, 777, 790 and 832, which will finish on 28 November. The routes cover parts of the Forest of Dean and Cotswolds.

To compensate, The Robin, a flexible on-demand bus service, will expand into new areas from 1 November. The expansion will cover Berkeley Vale, the North and South Cotswolds, South Forest of Dean and Newent, with additional coverage in villages including Frampton on Severn, Monmouth, Cinderford, Mickleton and Birdlip. Unlike traditional buses that follow fixed routes, The Robin allows passengers to book journeys through an app, website or telephone.

Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainable transport and road safety, acknowledged that changes to existing bus services may be disappointing for some passengers. He said the council needed to explore 'different ways of keeping communities connected' and described the Robin expansion as 'good news for communities across Gloucestershire'.

How it is being reported

• Gloucestershire rural bus routes axed as flexi service expandedMORE communities across Gloucestershire will gain access to a bookable bus service next month, but nine existing bus routes will be withdrawnWilts & Glos Standard · 23 Oct, 12:00
• Rural bus routes axed as flexi service expandedThe Robin service is being expanded to cover areas affected, such as the Forest of Dean and Cotswolds.BBC Gloucestershire · 23 Oct, 07:59

In this story: Gloucestershire County Council · The Robin · Forest of Dean · Cotswolds · Roger Whyborn · Berkeley Vale · Newent

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