Newbury to Basingstoke buses enhanced

Extra buses added to service from the end of August after £200,000 investment

A POPULAR bus service between Basingstoke and Newbury is to be taken over and enhanced.

Stagecoach will be providing The Link service, which runs via Kingsclere, from Tuesday, August 30, with extra journeys to be added to the route.

Newbury Buses are withdrawing from shared operation of the route with Stagecoach after Saturday, August 27.

Mark Turner, commercial director for Stagecoach in the South, said operation of the service had been shared with Newbury Buses since January 2009.

“Since the launch of The Link we have seen passenger numbers grow by 17.5 per cent, so it's vital to maintain the full timetable to ensure that the route's success created by Newbury buses and ourselves continues,” said Mr Turner.

The new timetable, he said, includes extra morning and afternoon journeys at peak times into Basingstoke, to provide more choice for commuters and students.

Stagecoach are investing £200,000 to provide two extra buses and three additional drivers for the service.

The new timetable is available at www.stagecoachbus.com/south