Major changes to bus routes in Basingstoke

The new services will start from April 14 and new timetables were released over the Easter weekend.

Stagecoach bosses claim the changes will create a “more reliable and effective service”.

Colin Ashcroft, Stagecoach operations manager, in Basingstoke, said: “We want to offer the best possible customer experience and value for money fares.

“From our conversations with customers, and the local council, we know that means less time waiting at bus stops, and improved reliability.”

The biggest changes will affect Brighton Hill. The Jazz 1 service will have an extra service during the morning rush-hour, but the Jazz 2 bus will no longer pass through Brighton Hill – instead a dedicated Jazz 7 will run from Brighton Hill to town every 20 minutes.

The bus changes follow two public consultations in September last year. Councillor Cathy Osselton, Basingstoke and Deane Cabinet member for partnerships, said customer complaints in Brighton Hill led to the changes.

She said: “I am really glad that Stagecoach has been so proactive in doing something to help Brighton Hill residents who were struggling with the frustrations of buses arriving late as they were stuck in traffic en route to pick them up.

“It was hoped that cutting out parts of the route where most traffic problems occurred would mean more buses would be arriving on time. This has helped but the extra bus should make a big difference and overcome the issues.”