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CAMPAIGNERS fighting to retain a replacement Romsey rail-link bus will be given the chance to put their views before a transport panel today (Friday).

Test Valley Transport Forum bosses have agreed to give Save Our Bus representatives to opportunity to put their case for keeping six additional daily buses on the X66 service between Romsey and Winchester to the panel at the start of the meeting.

South West Trains axed the dedicated rail-link bus in December and agreed to pump cash into Stagecoach's X66 service in a bid to offer replacement buses at peak times for passengers travelling to and from Winchester station to Romsey.

The rail company agreed to monitor usage of the X66 service and report back on its findings to Hampshire's transport chiefs this summer and also review funding.

Hampshire's executive county councillor for the environment, Mel Kendal, said: "We appreciate the strength of feeling from the Save Our Bus group, which is why it has been agreed to allow them to speak. It will give forum members the chance to hear the group's views at first hand. Of course, the responsibility for the future of rail-link bus service lies with South West Trains, as a commercially operated service and not the county council.

"However, we are working with others to encourage people to use the replacement X66 bus service so that SWT continues the rail-link service when it reviews costs and passenger numbers in July."

Explaining action taken to encourage more people to use Stagecoach's X66 service, Mr Kendal added: "These measures include working with our partners and promoting the use of the X66 services at all times of the day including commuter times with promotional discounts.

"I am sure the forum will listen with interest to the views of the Save Our Bus supporters and we'll ensure they are passed on to SWT so they can be taken into account when it accesses the future of the service and makes it final decision later this summer. But what a wasted opportunity for Government not to insist that the rail link service will be maintained when the franchise was renewed."

8:24am Friday 9th May 2008

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