STAGECOACH has defended cuts to services in Whitchurch and Overton which has forced students to travel on overcrowded buses, according to parents.

The company has responded after parents raised concerns about the reliability, safety and costs for their children travelling to Peter Symonds College in Winchester via the 86 bus.

The service was reduced heavily in August 2024 after Stagecoach announced that it would be cutting the number of journeys carried out from 12 to four.

READ MORE: Students stranded or forced to travel on 'overcrowded' buses due to cuts, say parents

The reduction in the number of journeys means that buses are often overcrowded with no space for students to sit, according to a group of more than 70 parents with children at Peter Symonds. 

Stagecoach has now responded to concerns, saying that cutting services was necessary to 'maintaining a viable service on this route'.

The company explained that the gap between ticket sales and the costs of operating the 86 service had grown to 'become a significant loss'. 

A spokesperson for the company also responded to specific claims that students are 'forced to stand on overcrowded buses, sometimes travelling at high speeds along the A34 without seats'.

"Once all seats are occupied, an amount of standing space is available on the bus, should it be required, to minimise the chance of a customer not being able to board," the spokesperson added.

The group of 71 parents called for Stagecoach to take action to address the issues, requesting the company to improve reliability by reducing delays and breakdowns.

A spokesperson from the company responded, saying: "We appreciate the feedback from our customers and acknowledge comments regarding the change to Service 86 last September.

"Service 86 operates without any direct subsidy, and unfortunately, the gap between ticket sales and the costs of operating the service had grown to become a significant loss. 

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"We had to take the difficult decision to give notice to the college and our customers that without subsidy to support the additional journeys, a reduced number of trips would operate on service 86 as it was no longer possible to maintain the existing level of service indefinitely. 

"Whilst we regret any inconvenience, the change was essential to maintaining a viable service on this route."

It advised customers to track the live progress of buses along with service updates via its mobile app.