Residents vow to defend their buses (From Daily Echo)

Residents vow to defend their buses

7:44am Friday 2nd November 2007 in

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CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the Romsey to Winchester bus link are to form a working group with transport bosses to monitor a temporary replacement service.

Protesters met with bosses from South West Trains at a packed public meeting in Romsey last night and heard how the rail company will subsidise extra services on the existing Stagecoach X66 bus route which exists between the two destinations.

The company told more than 100 people who filled the hall of the Abbey United Reformed Church that they will subsidise additional bus services in the morning and evening until next July while Hampshire County Council carry out an independent survey on how many passengers use the service.

Campaign leader Matt O'Connor said he welcomed the news and reassured the audience made up of passengers, commuters, students and local councillors that the working group 'will happen' and warned transport chiefs that local residents 'will defend their public transport.' Residents addressed a panel of South West Trains and Stagecoach bus representatives as well as councillors from Hampshire and the Test Valley and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley.