Liphook’s new bus service has attracted its first passengers. The additional service, which is run by Stagecoach, came into effect on Monday, February 18, linking Liphook, Haslemere and Hindhead for the first time, following a consultation by Hampshire County Council last summer.

The no 13 bus started its new route from Passfield Green at 10.43am, travelling via Sainsbury’s in Midhurst Road to Hammer, Camelsdale Bridge and Haslemere Town Hall, where passengers could remain on the bus, as it continued as service no 23 towards Hindhead.

Liphook couple Anne and Chris Wright were one of the first to try out the new service, catching the bus in Haslemere Road.

They told the Herald: "We have been waiting for a bus service between Liphook and Haslemere since the early 1980’s and are delighted that it has finally arrived. In the past we had to go on the train if we wanted to go to Haslemere and back, which involves crossing the footbridge on the return journey and low platforms at Liphook Station, making climbing on board a train more difficult."

Senior passengers will also be able to use their free bus card for the first time on the new route.

Anne and Chris added: "The bus from Liphook to Haslemere arrived eight minutes late and unfortunately we had to make the return journey by train as the bus driver gave us the wrong information about the location of the bus stop for the return journey - so we missed it. But we are planning to make use of the new bus service frequently from now on."

Stagecoach is running five of these new return services per day, with the last bus running at 6.33pm, reaching Haslemere Town Hall at 6.56pm.

Return journeys start at Haslemere Station and finish at the Green in Passfield. The first return journey begins at 10.16am from Haslemere Station and the last service is running at 6.01pm, arriving in Passfield at 6.29pm.