Deeside Industrial Estate – Subsidised bus service set to end

A review of the subsidised Deeside shuttle bus service is set to be launched if approved at a Council Cabinet meeting this Tuesday.

Flintshire County Council currently subsidises 30 bus routes that would not be available commercially, at a cost to the Council of around £1 million a year.

Many of the routes subsidised by the Council are rural, early morning, evening, Sunday, Bank Holiday and some school transport services.

The Council subsidised Deeside Shuttle bus service provides transport on demand to enable workers to access employment on the Deeside Industrial Park.

The levels of subsidy for the Deeside Shuttle are high, at a cost of over £6 per passenger, Wales local authority spending constraints means subsidising the service is no longer sustainable.

Passenger numbers on the Deeside Shuttle service have increased significantly over the last few years, such that the Council considers that the service could become a scheduled service with a fixed timetable and route, instead of a pre-bookable flexible service.

The Council will be talking with commercial bus operators with a view to introducing and developing new commercial bus services into the Park before the current service ends.

Councillor Bernie Attridge, Cabinet Member for Environment said:

“This review has become necessary due to the unprecedented level of financial savings the Council is having to make. We will be working closely with local communities and partners to ensure that the level of financial support given is affordable and sustainable, while at the same time ensuring that we provide a modern and efficient service that best serves the interests of Flintshire and its residents.”

If Cabinet approves the measures, the responsive element of the Deeside Shuttle Service will end on 31 August 2015. The results of the bus subsidy review will be presented to Cabinet in July 2015.

Picture: P&O Lloyd