Budget cuts could see 48 supported bus services withdrawn by Kent County Council
Residents are being asked to share their views on a proposed reduction of Kent County Council’s (KCC) supported bus services. Following the passing of KCC’s budget last month, it was proposed the supported bus budget be reduced from April 2022 to £4.3 million, representing a decrease of £2.2 million.
The council currently spends about £6 million a year to provide services which are not profitable for commercial operators but which the council thinks are important to the communities they serve. The proposed changes mean 48 contracts have been selected for withdrawal.
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: “In the last few months running up to our annual budget review, we have had to take some very tough decisions in order to ensure the services we have to provide by law have the funds they need. Bus services are crucial to many and I know some of these routes are incredibly important to the communities they serve around Kent, which is why we are so keen to hear from people who will be affected by these proposed service withdrawals. I would encourage anyone with a view about our plans to get in touch to help inform the way we shape our supported bus service going forward.”
The council published a list of services which could be affected online at kent.gov.uk/bussavings along with details of the consultation, and urged people to have their say.
