A COUNCIL may decide to stop subsidising bus routes following a public consultation.

Flintshire Council has announced it is undertaking a review of the county’s subsidised bus services over the coming months to 'establish a sustainable and effective transport network for the future'.

More than 55 bus routes currently operate across Flintshire on a daily basis - operated by private bus companies, which either run commercial bus services or routes subsidised by Flintshire Council.

Commercial routes are operated solely by private bus companies with no input from the local authority on route direction or financial support, whereas subsidised routes are those funded wholly, or partially, by the council.

Around 60 per cent of bus services in Flintshire are operated commercially and 40 per cent are subsidised. The subsidy totals £1,068,352 per year, including Welsh Government bus service support grant funding.

A council spokesman said: "Historically, the subsidised bus routes in Flintshire have been established on a piecemeal basis, sometimes without real justification or business case for support.

"There is therefore a need to carry out a comprehensive review of the network and consider the commercial and supported network as a whole to ensure that it best reflects the current travel patterns of passengers and meets the evolving demand for transport to new developments."

As part of the review the county has been divided in to four geographical areas to prioritise and focus the transport need for individual communities with four options are being presented for consideration in each area.

These are to stop subsidising bus routes completely, continue with the current subsidised routes only, support bus routes on the core bus network and introduce Local Travel arrangements in areas off the core network, or support bus routes on the core bus network and introduce a demand responsive ‘ring and ride’ service for in areas off the core network.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas, cabinet member for Streetscene and Countryside, said: “I understand the importance of bus transport; for many people it is a lifeline and I am committed to doing the best we can in Flintshire to provide an effective, affordable and sustainable bus service.

"I encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation to ensure that the views of the public help shape the future of transport within our communities.

"There will be a number of community engagement events where people can speak to officers of the authority for further information and officers will be travelling on buses to speak to passengers for their views.

"If you have a community group or society that would benefit from a meeting on this consultation please contact Streetscene officers.”

Details on how to take part in the consultation can be found of the Flintshire Council website or from Flintshire Connects centres.

The five public engagement sessions will be at Hawksbury Community Centre in Buckley on April 26, Mold Town Hall on April 27, Holywell Town Council Offices on May 2, Connah's Quay Civic Centre on May 3 and Flint Town Hall on May 10.

For more information please contact streetscene@flintshire.gov.uk or 01352 701234