EAST Hampshire district councillors are being asked to help rescue a vital bus link bet- ween Petersfield and Bordon. Next week, members of the central area community committee will be asked to stump up another £408 from its project fund budget to keep the pilot number 73 bus service going until June. On Tuesday night, EHDC transport development officer Gwill Williams will report the latest developments on the bus service. The original number 38 service operated by Stagecoach ran from Portsmouth into Petersfield, passing through Liss, Greatham, Bordon and Whitehill to Farnham and Aldershot. In April 2002 Hampshire County Council withdrew its subsidy for the route north of Liss Forest. This meant that Bordon and Whitehill lost its public transport links with its southerly neighbours. Following concern from residents in Liss, Greatham, Blackmoor and Bordon, a pilot service, number 73, was started in July 2005. Operated by AMK, it was to operate each Thursday for six months, travelling between Petersfield and Bordon, giving people access to Tesco and The Forest Centre at Bordon and to shopping, health and leisure facilities in Petersfield. In his report Mr Williams said: "The service made an encouraging start. "Surprisingly larger numbers travelled northwards from Liss and Greatham to Bordon to Tesco and The Forest Centre than south to Petersfield. The highest number of passengers carried on a Thursday was 34. However, on average around 15 passengers used the service." The pilot was due to end in December, but after a recent meeting of county, district, town and parish council officers it was given a stay of execution until June. Mr Williams said this was due to a number of factors, including the fact that the impact of the free bus pass scheme for the over- 60s, due to start at Easter, would by then have been assessed. By June it is hoped that the results of a working group set up to look at Bordon's poor access to key facilities will be available. Its findings may well influence the future role of bus services. Mr Williams also reported that Hampshire County Council was also reviewing its community transport provision in the East Hampshire area, and these results would also be available. The total cost of extending the pilot service will be £2,040. The county council has agreed to pick up the bill for £1,224. EHDC is asked to finance the remaining £816 equally from its central area and north east area community funds.
