I READ the letter from Helen Young (Chronicle, January 29) and sympathise with her, regarding no direct bus service between Eastleigh and Winchester.
However, Velmore has a bus service number 23 from Eastleigh, a double decker bus, and if two passengers are on it, "it's crowded". If memory serves me well an hourly service, six days a week, and a less frequent service on Sunday.
As for number 44 community bus, two points. I have seen it operate in Chandler's Ford in mid-afternoon, approximately at 3.15pm, when I take my daily walk.
The last circular number 44 leaves Eastleigh at 5.15pm arriving at Velmore a few minutes later. I stand to be corrected, I believe there are additional bus stops on Velmore. It curtails its journey at 6.15pm. If Helen Young has no bus pass it will cost £2, for a 50-minute drive.
There are numerous buses to Bishopstoke, the last one leaves well past midnight.
Finally on the last timetable printed in July 2023, it states number 44 service on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. And I have never seen 44 operate on weekends.
I trust this letter will be of benefit to Helen Young and her daughter.
Andy Crossley,
Winchester Road,
Chandler's Ford
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