Published on Monday 14 July 2025
Accessible local transport is vital to our communities - and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council wants to hear more from residents about how, when, and why they use our bus services.
Last year, the council spent £1.54 million to help keep 24 bus services running, including six to schools. £834,000 of this came direct from the council's budget, and the rest was from government funding via the Department for Transport (DfT).
This year the council has received £2.66 million of revenue bus grant as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding from DfT to support service enhancements and it is expected to receive at least the same amount in 2026.
The DfT has advised that whilst this year's grant can't replace existing council funding, if the council reviews the subsidised bus service network across BCP during 2025 to ensure that existing funding is being invested where it is most needed and represents value for money, this should be possible next year.
We are therefore undertaking a comprehensive review of subsidised services which will be the first since BCP Council was formed. This is in line with the decision taken at full council in March 2025.
The review shall confirm where passenger numbers have increased on services if the subsidy, or a reduced subsidy is still needed to run them, or to see if there are lower cost alternatives. Dependent on public feedback, some services could be changed to better meet public needs by re-routing, combining existing routes, or adjusting frequencies.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Sustainable Travel at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, said: “We know how important it is for residents to be connected to their surrounding communities, and this review ensures that remains at the heart of our future planning.
“Through this consultation we want to be able to update the picture on how people use our bus services so that we help fund routes that are needed the most, whilst not covering costs, and can ensure best value for public money.
“I’d encourage everyone to have their say and help shape the future of public transport across our three towns.”
The consultation runs until 11:59pm on 18 August 2025; with any changes being implemented from May 2026 onwards; any potential changes to school services would not take place until the following academic year.
We’re also providing survey forms on buses and at libraries with passengers being invited to have their say in writing or online at haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/bus-subsidies-2025.