Update on the No. 36 Bus Service
Many residents will remember the campaign to protect the No. 36 bus service, which plays a vital role in connecting communities across Talbot View, Bournemouth and Kinson. Following the publication of BCP Council’s Subsidised Bus Services Review, we want to provide a clear and factual update on where matters currently stand.
Current Position
The Council’s recommended option proposes that the No. 36 bus service will be retained with no change to its route or timetable. The review explicitly identifies the No. 36 as one of the core Monday–Saturday daytime services that is socially necessary, well-used and offers good value for money. On that basis, it is proposed to continue unchanged.
This is welcome news for residents who rely on the service, particularly given the wider financial pressures facing local transport provision.
Context of the Review
It is important to understand how we arrived at this point. The Bus Services Review was initiated by BCP Council as part of its budget strategy, with Cabinet authorising a comprehensive assessment of all subsidised routes. As part of that process:
- All subsidised bus services, including the No. 36, were placed under review
- A public consultation was launched that explicitly warned some routes could be altered, combined or withdrawn
- Residents were told that services would be judged against new affordability and usage criteria
The Council’s own report makes clear that it can no longer afford to subsidise all services in the same way and that difficult decisions are required. While many routes face changes or withdrawal, others, including the No. 36, are currently proposed to remain because of strong community reliance and usage.
The report also confirms that future support for services will increasingly rely on Bus Grant funding rather than traditional council subsidy, making the decisions taken now critical to securing services in the longer term.
Why Community Action Mattered
The retention of the No. 36 did not happen in a vacuum. Residents across Bournemouth West responded in large numbers to the consultation, contacted MPs, spoke to the media and made clear the importance of this route to everyday life. Coverage in ITV Meridian and the Bournemouth Echo amplified those concerns.
That collective response ensured decision-makers fully understood the real world impact that losing or altering the service would have had. It demonstrated clearly that the No. 36 meets the very criteria the Council set for retention.
Setting the Record Straight
Recent claims by Talbot & Branksome Woods Liberal Democrat Councillors suggesting the service was “saved” without acknowledging how it came to be at risk do not reflect the full picture. The No. 36 was only under threat because the Council itself initiated a review that placed all subsidised routes on the table. The current proposal to retain it represents a response to strong public engagement and scrutiny, not the avoidance of an external threat.
Residents deserve honesty and transparency about how decisions are made, particularly when essential services are involved.
What Happens Next
This review now forms part of a wider decision-making process. Final outcomes have not yet been confirmed, and councillors will make formal decisions when the report goes to BCP Council Cabinet on 4 February 2026.
That means:
- The proposal is positive, but not yet guaranteed
- Continued engagement remains important
- Community voices still matter
We will continue to monitor developments closely and will keep members and residents updated as this progresses.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond, share concerns and stand up for this essential service. That collective effort has made a real difference.
