Too little demand for new bus route connecting Arundel
A resident campaign's been ongoing to better connect the town to local villages
Campaigners are still pushing for a direct bus route between Arundel and its surrounding villages - despite being told there's not enough demand.
Over three hundred people have signed apetition, which claims using public transport triples the time needed for a five mile journey from neighbouring Yapton.
Those behind the petition warn that not having the service is having an impact on local businesses, and is isolating residents.
"No plans" for additional services
A Stagecoach spokesperson said:
"At this stage, there are no plans on our side to introduce additional bus services to or from Arundel.
"The current routes, operated both by us and Compass Travel, rely on financial support from West Sussex County Council, as passenger numbers alone do not cover the cost of operation.
"As such, any expansion of services would likely require further public funding. For more detail on future funding possibilities, you may wish to contact WSCC directly regarding the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
"Our understanding is that no additional funding is currently available."
Town "is struggling"
Now, Beth Stewart, who is leading the campaign, says residents "need to show there would be enough demand to keep the service running": "Even if they did run this service, they have said it would be observed very closely, and a dip in usage could result in the service being cancelled altogether."
She argues that bus companies are failing to take into account new developments in the area, which are boosting demand.
Steph Hillman, runner up in Miss Great Britain Sussex and Kent and Yapton resident, is supporting the campaign.
She said:
"'I'm a business owner in Arundel, and I have a lot of communication with a lot of other business owners here.
"The town itself is struggling. We've seen a lot of big businesses, restaurants, retail businesses sadly closed due to lack of footfall in the area."