BCP Council moves to protect 99% of subsidised bus journeys under new proposals
Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council is engaging with local operator Morebus on plans to protect the great majority of subsidised bus travel in the conurbation while lowering costs and ensuring the network’s long-term viability.
More than 99% of council-subsidised journeys would be preserved under the plan.
This aims to protect almost 1.3 million annual trips that connect the community.
BCP Cabinet will discuss the proposal in a meeting on February 4.
Morebus general manager Richard Wade said:
“We are pleased to have worked with BCP Council to be able to recommend preserving such a high proportion of the existing network while creating new links relevant to today’s needs. We have made significant investment in new buses, services, and our app over recent years.”
The review comes amid rising costs, with the price of subsidising routes that are not commercially viable nearly doubling over the past five years.
Facing significant financial pressures, the council says it has carried out a ‘comprehensive review of the network’ to ensure best value for taxpayers while maintaining services residents rely on.
Public consultation played a central role in shaping the proposals, as 3,000 residents highlighted the importance of key routes such as Route One, 18, and 36, allowing the council to target funding where it is most needed.
Under the plans, all 18 existing subsidised Monday-to-Saturday, Sunday and evening services would continue to operate.
Some routes have become commercially viable, and Morebus would run them without council subsidy
This assists the change to reduce overall costs by more than £400,000 per year.
In addition, the proposed network includes improved connectivity to Royal Bournemouth Hospital, with enhanced links from Poole, Westbourne and Bournemouth.
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for sustainable travel, said:
“We know buses are a lifeline for local people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
“Our residents have been telling us exactly that when we consulted on existing routes.”
BCP noted that Morebus will take on commercially viable services, and the Council will properly target its Local Area Bus Grant.
This allows the Council to reinvest the resulting savings in frontline services.
This could fund:
- More than 60,000 hours of support in social care
- More than 1000 weeks of foster care
- 10,000 new picture books for libraries
- Citizens Advice support for 17,000 residents
- 32 special SEND places
In 2024/25, the Council spent £1.59 million in subsidies to keep 24 bus services running.
£798,000 came from the Council’s core budget, with the remainder coming from government grants.
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