Testimonials

Hear directly what the local people have to say about the loss of our 61 service, changes to the current 69 service, and how it affects them, and others in our wider area.

See our most recent testimonials below...

Mike Pearson,

Twyford:

"Losing this bus isolates Twyford Village from Eastleigh for the elderly, young and infirm"

Edward White,

Eastleigh:

"The funding is available for reinstating the routes you have identified i.e. 61 and 69. My concern is that the money will be distributed to the routes that suit the commercial sector, and not the needs of the community. Restore the Heartbeat 61 service. "

K.P,

Boyatt Wood:

"This is such a vital service. Residents of Allbrook and North Boyatt, a substantial residential area, are left with no bus services to either of the two nearest cities, Winchester and Southampton. The 61 was vital for so many people "

"I have lived here for 40 years and this is the first time there has been no bus service.

These are the reasons why I would like the route to be restored:

I do not drive.
Both my dentist and my GP surgery are in Eastleigh. - - Although I can book a lift with Community Transport, the times that they are able to offer are limited and you have to plan and book a few days in advance.
Should I need to go to the hospital in Winchester, I have to book a lift with Good Neighbours, with similar issues.
Taxis are more expensive.
I used to go into Eastleigh frequently for my everyday essentials.
I am missing being able to meet my good friend in Colden Common regularly.
I am concerned that I will feel more and more isolated.
I feel that the needs of people in my situation are being overlooked."

A resident of Allbrook Hill

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A resident of Colden Common:

"I am in my 80's and will soon no longer be able to or wish to drive, so the service is very important to me"

A resident of Colden Common:

"I often use the railway station, and found both the 61 and 69 convenient for this. Due to mobility issues I cannot carry heavy bags long distances, so I have to now get expensive taxis due to the changes - costing 10x as much!!"

Ann Carter, Eastleigh:

My husband and I feel that it is necessary for a bus service on Twyford Road to Eastleigh to enable us to cut back on car journeys and to have access to Winchester hospital and city.

"The 69 re-route is a disaster; It used to be convenient for most of Winchester - St Cross, Cinema, Cathedral, top of High Street, Library, Theatre, Art School, Guildhall and lower High Street.

Now, if you don't want Guildhall or lower shops it means an uphill hike to get to anything, and another long walk back (often with shopping) so add 30 minutes to your times.

The only amenity served by the new route is the Leisure Centre - except it doesn't even stop there. The decision to change routes was insane, with no regard for the users of the service."

Nigel Close, Twyford

Elizabeth Merricks:

"I feel a mandatory qualification for those who make decisions about the buses should be that they travel exclusively by bus for a period of time. This way they will see first-hand how the services work and get a flavour of the range of bus users. We also need to keep the 'next bus' information at bus stops and maintain a central bus station in Winchester, either in the current position or nearby."

Sarah Evans, Twyford:

"I used the 61 to go to the hospital and to Eastleigh. I lost my driving license when my eyesight became too poor to drive. Without buses, there is the risk that individuals whose eyesight is too poor will continue to drive as they fear being stranded. Would love 61 back!"

"I have just moved to Colden Common from Wiltshire, and was told by the estate agent that we will be on the bus route to Eastleigh and Winchester.

As I don’t drive this was very important, but now I find out that they have changed the bus stop of the 69 bus and the 61 has been cancelled!

I feel really gutted about this, the government wants us to use public transport more - but then they take away very important buses that can get people to hospital, to college... it’s really terrible."

Tania Hennon, Colden Common

Helen Sturman,

Eastleigh:

"I used to use the 61 bus service before it was taken off to travel to and from work, Monday to Friday (as I lived in Eastleigh and worked at Winchester hospital.) I have now moved to a different area in Eastleigh. I would like to think there is always a bus if I need one especially on the way home! ..it is an essential bus service that needs to be put on - especially for people who live between Eastleigh and Winchester that don't have a bus service any longer!"

Sandria Elderfield,

Colden Common:

"..because of the 69 bus being rerouted into Winchester, I can no longer get to the Catholic Church or the library - it is too far to walk from the bottom of the town. We also no longer have the 61 bus, so I am not able to go to Eastleigh as an alternative for the church or library. I am a widow and I feel totally isolated"

Graeme Cox:

"..waiting for a lung scan at Winchester hospital, it's 7pm! My wife was able to drive me - but how could I possibly have attended the appointment otherwise? No route 61, and the last bus left Winchester far too early!"

I can't drive and rely on the bus, especially now my mum has died as she would give me a lift if the bus didn't turn up. I have scoliosis and am increasingly finding it hard to walk long distances without back pain. Since the reroute of the 69, shortly after I was diagnosed, I have had to walk much further after a long day standing at work to get to the bus and to go all the way up the High Street from the bottom of town to get to most of the shops and the chiropractor. It has caused great anger and stress which adds to my pain. I am also autistic and the extremely inconvenient, and in my view, completely unnecessary changes, have also caused immense stress.

I am very concerned about the safety of going on the motorway when there aren't any seatbelts on the bus.

Plus, I have been robbed of the enjoyment of getting off the bus in St Cross and walking to work through the old streets that I used to do.

There was NO consultation with the public about this decision that adversely affects so many people, made by a few who DON'T USE the bus.

The times in the morning are crazy e.g. nothing after 8:15 til 9:50. We NEED the 61 back to go at half past the hour in between the 69 on the hour. I used to go to a gym class that started at 10:15. That was fine when the 69 went at 9:35, but since they changed it to 20 minutes later, I can't get to my class!! And I have had to get taxis if the bus has gone early or not turned up, which costs £20. - one way!

I have had to change my hours to work earlier to finish at 17:30 to get the 17:45 bus, because the last bus goes just after 18.30 when I was finishing work. I now start at 9.15, which means I have to get a bus at 8.15 to get into town an HOUR early for work because there is NO bus at a more convenient time such as 9:00!! There is NO bus to get to the hospital or either Eastleigh or Winchester Train Stations. A complete lack of logic to disconnect two major local towns/cities.

OBVIOUSLY anybody needing to get to college, work, hospital or the shops and who are elderly or disabled who can't drive, don't matter to Hampshire County Council or Stagecoach!

J Hallmann, Colden Common

Video Interviews

It impacts me Keeping Fit

" I used to go to the gym in Eastleigh which is opposite the bus station. I tried going a couple of times and it really stressed me out, because it took so long to get there. One day I got to Fair Oak on the journey home and had to wait at the bus stop for 45 minutes. It's so frustrating because I only live down the road in Colden Common!"

- Annette Walker

I can't get to my Hospital Appointments

"It affects my friends who live in Eastleigh, because they have hospital appointments in Winchester and now find it hard to get there!"

- Anonymous

It's costing me more money

"Thanks to the withdrawing of the 61, it will cost me £12 for a round trip to Eastleigh (from Colden Common). If you don't qualify for concessionary travel, the price is around £3 per journey. Two buses to Eastleigh, plus two to return!"

- Liz Hutchinson

It's having a big affect on my Education

"The 61 bus was essential for me to get to and from college independently. Since it was cut, I’ve had to rely on my parents for lifts, which is inconvenient for them, as well as increasing our carbon footprint."