STEPS have been made to try and ensure Bracknell retains as much of its bus service as possible following the withdrawal of First.

The lead member for transport Cllr Chris Turrell responded to questions at last week’s meeting of Bracknell Forest Council to say progress had been made to retain routes such as the 90 and 94 after bus company First announced they were closing their Bracknell depot.

Stagecoach have stepped in to take over route 94 between Bracknell and Camberley, organised from their Aldershot base while an extra bus is set to be added to the 162 route at 3.45pm on weekdays for Ranelagh school pupils travelling home.

Cllr Turrell said: “Most bus services in the borough are commercial services without any support from the council and as such we have no control over those services.

“Supported services on the other hand are partly financed by the council and we can influence routes, timetables and services.

“New vehicles coming on line are much more comfortable and with things like free wifi, as you may know riding a bus in the past was sometimes like riding a bucking bronco.” However Cllr Mary Temperton says the biggest issues have still not been addressed and that Courtney Buses, who have taken over some supported routes, do not have enough room on board for prams or wheelchairs.

She said: “The Green line route is having the most trouble. It’s such a very, very good route for most of our young people who work in Lego Land who will have no way of getting to work. There is no Sunday service to anywhere but The Meadows.” The Green line route 701 will no longer stop in Bracknell from the end of September.

STEPS have been made to try and ensure Bracknell retains as much of its bus service as possible following the withdrawal of First.

The lead member for transport Cllr Chris Turrell responded to questions at last week’s meeting of Bracknell Forest Council to say progress had been made to retain routes such as the 90 and 94 after bus company First announced they were closing their Bracknell depot.

Stagecoach have stepped in to take over route 94 between Bracknell and Camberley, organised from their Aldershot base while an extra bus is set to be added to the 162 route at 3.45pm on weekdays for Ranelagh school pupils travelling home.

Cllr Turrell said: “Most bus services in the borough are commercial services without any support from the council and as such we have no control over those services.

“Supported services on the other hand are partly financed by the council and we can influence routes, timetables and services.

“New vehicles coming on line are much more comfortable and with things like free wifi, as you may know riding a bus in the past was sometimes like riding a bucking bronco.” However Cllr Mary Temperton says the biggest issues have still not been addressed and that Courtney Buses, who have taken over some supported routes, do not have enough room on board for prams or wheelchairs.

She said: “The Green line route is having the most trouble. It’s such a very, very good route for most of our young people who work in Lego Land who will have no way of getting to work. There is no Sunday service to anywhere but The Meadows.” The Green line route 701 will no longer stop in Bracknell from the end of September.