New Sunday buses hit the road in Walton

The change is part of a reform of bus services across the north of the county. It had been feared that the borough would lose services in the cost cutting drive. However, Walton has gained additional Sunday services for a six-month trial period.

Printed timetables will be made available shortly with full details already available online.

Surrey County Council has agreed to extend or increase the frequency of buses where demand is strong and reduce or withdraw some services, especially those where demand has fallen.

As well as being available online, timetables are being put up at bus stops across the affected areas of Elmbridge, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Woking and Reigate and Banstead.

Cllr Ian Lake, Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Surrey's bus services became a hotch potch of different routes over the years so the review was an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and make sure the needs of passengers are met while providing value for money.

“We had to take action because the subsidy costs were soaring by millions of pounds and weren't providing taxpayers with value for money.

"We made sure bus users were involved in the process and their views helped shape the new network. Through working with bus companies we've added new services, increased the frequency of others and reduced or ended some routes. I would encourage people to use the new Sunday services during the trial period."

The five trial Sunday services were included in the new timetables after residents told the council they would like them introduced. Initially, they will run for six months and be made permanent if they prove popular enough.

The new Sunday services are:

·        420/460 Redhill to Epsom and Sutton

·        461 Kingston to St Peter's Hospital

·        458 Staines to Walton to Kingston

·        436 Woking to Brooklands

·        81 Barnsbury Estate to Woking