Council considers cutting all Northampton bus service subsidies

Northamptonshire County Council currently spends £1.35 million on subsidising public transport, keeping some bus routes going that are vital to some but make no profit for companies.

But it has admitted that a review of all of the funding is on the table, with decision to be made later this year.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “Because of the significant financial pressures on the council, our 2016/17 budget agreed to remove £200k from the £1.35million the council spends on subsidising public transport.

“The next step is a complete review of transport needs for the county and how transport services are provided as part of our Total Transport plan.

“The plan will propose a social enterprise model to provide more efficient transport services, address congestion, and respond to the changing ways and times that people make journeys.”

A detailed business plan is scheduled to be presented to the county council’s Cabinet this autumn.

It comes after Stagecoach admitted last week it had to cut back its timetable, partly because free town centre parking was making Northampton town centre too congested.

The council’s approach, if approved would mirror that of Oxfordshire, where the cut will take effect from July 20.

It is understood that Call Connect Dial a Ride services will not be affected.