WINCHESTER'S main bus operator has highlighted the vital need to tackle traffic pinch points that impact its services.
It is looking at several problem spots that chronically affect its buses including City Bridge, North Walls, City Road, Romsey Road and Station Hill.
The company is working with the county council to investigate ways that buses can be given priority.
Rob Vince, Stagecoach business development manager, writing in the December edition of Trust News, the newsletter of the City of Winchester Trust, said Romsey Road is the worst. "Romsey Road, where significant congestion is routinely encountered represents the single biggest delay point, in total minutes, in the Winchester area."
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Mr Vince says that congestion in Winchester has not improved even though the Covid pandemic has led to more people working from home.
He wrote: "Perhaps surprisingly we have seen no let up in traffic congestion, despite the changes in working habits and we battle daily with keeping our services on time, properly spaced and thus a reliable, attractive option for the travelling public. It is frustrating merely adding buses just to keep a schedule that has to be constantly stretched to accommodate traffic delays."
Stagecoach is working with Hampshire County Council on a Bus Service Improvement Plan to reduce journey times and improve reliability.
Mr Vince said the company is aware of pending development with Kings Barton under way and other potential schemes such as Bushfield Camp and Sir John Moore Barracks. "It is imperative the Winchester Movement Strategy works well for buses and doesn't displace routes and make them less appealing and longer. The Central Winchester Regeneration area must also provide the best facilities possible for bus users, and in the right place."
Mr Vince flagged up an underlying issue. Bus use has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels but is now at around 80-90 per cent. Those with concessionary passes have been slower to return, at 70 per cent.
"There is a sizeable group who used to use the bus that has simply not returned at all and many users are using it less than before. A preference for the car among non-users will be hard to overcome. Perceptions that the bus is inconvenient and takes too long also prohibit people from giving it a go."
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