A BUS company has apologised over plans to cut a service connecting two counties.

Carousel Buses said it is sorry a section of the 103 service from High Wycombe to Watford would be discontinued from July 24 due to “low customer usage”.

The 103 currently runs from High Wycombe bus station to Clarendon Road in Watford (Herts), going via Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chorleywood, and Croxley Green.

However, from July 24, the 103 will stop running buses between Amersham and Watford, and will serve Chesham instead.

Carousel said the change was to keep services “financially sustainable” after the pandemic, and because usage between Amersham and Watford had been low.

However, it also said Hertfordshire County Council is considering a replacement bus service, which the council confirmed.

Bucks Free Press:

“Under the terms of our Bus Recovery Grant funding from government we have reviewed the sustainability of our services in partnership with local authorities,” a Carousel Buses spokesman said.

“We are pleased to confirm the 103 service will continue to operate between High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Amersham. However, it will serve Chesham rather than Watford from July 24 due to low customer usage on the section between Amersham and Watford.

“We apologise for any disappointment this may cause and hope people understand we must make services financially sustainable as we continue to recover from the pandemic. We understand Hertfordshire County Council is considering providing a replacement service.”

A spokesman from Hertfordshire County Council added: "Hertfordshire County Council are seeking to provide a replacement bus service to partially cover the amended 103 bus service route, which previously ran from High Wycombe to Watford and which is being withdrawn by Carousel at the end of July. The new 103 service will now cover a route between High Wycombe and Chesham only.

"Since Carousel confirmed their decision to change the 103 route to no longer serve Hertfordshire, the County Council is seeking to find the best solution for an alternative link between Chorleywood and Watford and are currently in discussions with an operator."