Pupils call for bus route to be saved

THE future of a South Gloucestershire bus service used by lots of schoolchildren is once again in doubt.

- ALEX SEABROOK

Teenagers and parents called for council bosses to save the 918 bus, without which they would struggle to get to school. And in the new year some funding could finally be found.

The 918 bus runs between Thornbury and Severn Beach, with many children in villages living in between relying on the service to get to the Castle School. The service previously came under threat and was due to be cancelled in July last year, until South Gloucestershire Council agreed to spend £240,000 of its reserves to keep the service running for another academic year.

Rising costs of fuel and driver salaries mean that keeping buses running is increasingly expensive. But pupils at Castle School and parents urged councillors that they should keep supporting the service, during a full council meeting.