WOKINGHAM Borough Council’s decision-making executive are set to determine the futures of four bus routes at a meeting on Monday, August 8.
The decision has been classed as urgent, with contracts for the Tiger 7 and Leopard 3, 8 and 9 services coming to an end.
Around 1.2 million passenger journeys between central Reading and Arborfield, Barkham, Finchampstead, Riseley, Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Swallowfield could be affected.
Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “These bus services are very important. Without them, residents will not have any other means of public transport into central Reading.
“The pandemic has had a significant impact on people’s travel patterns, with many now working from home. We need to encourage people to use the buses.”
Cllr Fishwick and executive member for finance Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey will be tasked with settling the outcome of the decision at Monday’s meeting.
Three lines of action could be taken: withdrawal of the local bus service, retendering of the local bus service and modification of the current bus service contracts.
The recommendation put forward by the executive members is to modify the contract terms, although the result will only be known after the meeting.
“Withdrawal would mean a complete stop to these routes,” explained Cllr Fishwick.
“Retendering would see a gap in the service from October onwards until a new one is put in place. Even then, it might be difficult to get people to use it.
“Making modifications to the current contract would see services resume. There would most likely be changes to parts of the routes, however fares would remain unchanged.”
The South of M4 strategic development location will see 3,000 homes, schools and sports facilities built in Three Mile Cross, Shinfield and Spencers Wood, further highlighting the importance of a fully-functioning bus service.
The services are currently contracted with Reading Buses, but have been affected by Covid-19, the rising cost of fuel and cost of drivers.
Passenger numbers are still only about 77% of the pre-pandemic figures, with fuel and driver costs making up over half of the service’s operational costs.
Over recent years, the government has provided almost £1million to support the borough’s bus provision, but funding is set to run out in September.
The Liberal Democrats say the previous administration did not allocate an additional budget for the continued running of the service.
