I am delighted that the 166 bus route has been protected following discussions between TfL and Surrey Council Council.
The 166 bus route runs from West Croydon to Epsom Hospital and is jointly managed by Transport for London (TfL) and Surrey County Council. It passed through the southern end of the Borough and is often used by Belmont and south Cheam residents to get to Epsom and back.
The service looked in danger of being terminated as TfL and Surrey County Council began discussions about this route. However, following pressure from myself, local residents and councillors, as well as neighbouring MPs and councillors, TfL and Surrey County Council have agreed to financially support the cost of these routes, with no alterations, for the next five years.
Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Transport Mike Goodman said: “There’s a vital need to fund these services in Surrey to help people get to and from hospital – it’s what our communities rightly expect us to do.
“We know just how important these buses are to people’s daily lives, which is why we’ve worked with TfL to invest the money that ensures they continue to run, whether that’s to help people go for a medical appointment, get to school or do shopping.
“It means we’ll be investing around £130,000 annually to ensure the 166 bus continues operating between Banstead and Epsom Hospital and the 216 carries on running from Staines to Ashford Hospital as normal.”
Claire Mann, TfL’s Director of Bus Operations, said: “We welcome Surrey County Council’s offer to part fund these services, and are very happy to work with them to continue running these important hospital routes.”
You can find details about the route here.
Shambles really, it’s packed at peak times. People need to be encouraged to use public transport, so upping the frequency certainly would help.