Free Christmas bus trips in Waverley and £1 routes across Surrey this festive season

Waverley Hoppa bus near Chiddingfold (image Waverley Borough Council)

Christmas has come early for Surrey bus users with the announcement of a free hopper service in Waverley and a host of journeys being cut to £1.

Waverley Borough Council announced it is working with the bus company Hoppa to run free trips in an effort to encourage people to shop locally and support high street traders.

The free service will take people to their nearest high streets in Farnham, Godalming, Cranleigh and Haslemere between 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday December 11 to Friday, December 15 as well as the following week between Monday December 18 to Friday December 22.

Councillor Liz Townsend, Waverley Borough Council’s portfolio holder for planning and economic development, said: “We are still very much in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and many are watching what they spend, especially with the festive season approaching.

“Retailers, like, anyone are facing considerable challenges and this joint initiative with Hoppa is aimed at supporting both residents and local businesses. If you can, shop local, and it will help both you and your community.”

The Christmas subsidised buses apply to dial-a-ride services and not Surrey Connect routes introduced in Farnham and Cranleigh.

SEE ALSO Surrey Heath eyeing up service cuts as finance officer admits council is burning through reserves | Surrey spa manager named Spa Professional of the Year at prestigious industry awards | Matt Ratana: ‘Failures’ in searching of gunman led to death of Met Police sergeant and Sussex rugby coach

Elsewhere in the county, younger fans of four-wheeled public transport can take advantage of a series of £1 bus journeys after Surrey County Council agreed to further funding to reduce travel costs for the under 20s.

The Surrey Link card, launched earlier this year, has been extended giving users 50 per cent off all adult bus fares in the county – including those bought under the £2 bus fare cap.

Participating operators include: Compass, Diamond Bus, East Surrey Rural Transport Partnership, Falcon, First, Metrobus, Stagecoach, Thames Valley Bus, Waverley Hoppa.

Matt Furniss, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and growth at Surrey County Council said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to further invest in bus travel to support younger residents of Surrey with cheaper journeys, giving them the freedom to travel around the county.

“It’s a significant investment and one which we hope will be well received.

“We are encouraging more people to use Surrey’s buses and investing in making buses greener including £32.3m for more ultra-low and zero emission buses and £6.3m for more ultra-low and zero emission community transport minibuses.

“A further £9m is being invested in bus priority measures to ensure buses turn up on time, and £1.4m in improving information for passengers at bus stops.”