A LUNCHTIME Shuttle service costing £25,000 has begun a one-year pilot trial providing residents with a vital lifeline into the centre of a Hampshire village.

Whiteley Shopping has fully funded the £25,000 cost of providing the Whiteley Shuttle service for a one-year trial period run by bus operator First.

Eight services will run between 11.50am and 2.30pm on weekdays via the Solent Business Park and Yew Tree Drive using 15 existing bus stops. The service starts and ends at Whiteley Tesco.

Neil Carter, centre manager for Whiteley Shopping, said: “The Whiteley Shuttle service is a key aspect of our travel plan.

“By introducing a free service for the next 12 months, we can assess the impact on vehicle numbers and gauge demand from nearby workers and residents.

“I hope that this is the first step towards a much improved public transport service for Whiteley. So, please do let us know your thoughts via twitter and the Whiteley Facebook page.”

To find out more visit whiteleyshopping.co.uk.