Park and ride bus service closes due to low demand

Councillors said deciding to stop the route was "tough"

A bus service in Surrey has closed due to falling passenger numbers.

Surrey County Council announced the Onslow Park and Ride bus service in Guildford will close after 31 August 2024, despite their "best efforts" to save it.

The local authority said a "significant drop" in usage over the past four years was behind the move.

Councillor Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, said: "We have a responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money responsibly and numbers are just too low to justify continuing with the service."

Concerns had previously been raised that the park and ride was under-used

Mr Furniss added: "This has been a very tough decision as we fully understand this will impact those that do currently use the service."

Some 18,000 passengers use the route, according to the council.

That's compared to around 84,000 at the Artington Park and Ride and more than 87,000 at the Merrow Park and Ride.

Both of these Guildford routes will remain open.

Mr Furniss said "despite best efforts to promote this service" with free parking and "competitive fares" there was "no sign" passenger numbers would change.

He added the council was committed to investing in bus travel in the county.

He said the council would expand the Surrey Connect bus service across the whole of the county from September this year offering discounted travel for young people, £2 flat fares and concessionary bus passes for over 65s.

Onslow Park and Ride was set up in 2013 with government funding.

Listen to BBC Radio Surrey's report here.