Update on the 721 Bus Service Petition

Thank you to everyone who has supported and signed the petition regarding the withdrawal of the 721 bus service. Your voices have helped ensure this issue has been formally raised with Hertfordshire County Council. We would also like to extend a special thank you to David Taylor MP for Hemel Hempstead for raising this issue on behalf of local families and for his continued support in pursuing a solution.

The Council has now responded. In summary, they have stated that reinstating a suitable mid-afternoon service (such as a 15:45 bus) would require an additional vehicle and would cost approximately £200,000 per year, which they currently consider unviable. They have also said that existing services (the 300 and 302) are intended to provide coverage, despite acknowledged issues with timing, reliability, and capacity. The Council has confirmed it is monitoring performance and is in discussion with the operator about possible future changes.

While it is welcome that the Council recognises the concerns raised by families, many of us feel this response does not fully reflect the real-world impact on students and parents—particularly the loss of a reliable, well-timed service for school travel.

As a result, we are continuing to pursue this matter. A formal Freedom of Information request has now been submitted to better understand:

• how the original decision was made,
• how the £200,000 figure was calculated, and
• what alternative options were considered.

What you can do now

• Continue sharing the petition with friends, family, and school communities to keep building support.
• Email or write to your local county councillor or MP to explain how the changes affect your family and ask them to support reinstating a suitable afternoon service.
• Share your experiences of delays, missed buses, or safeguarding concerns, as these real-life examples strengthen the case for action.

Thank you again for your continued support. With continued pressure and engagement, and the backing of representatives like David Taylor MP, we can ensure that students’ transport needs remain firmly on the Council’s agenda. Further updates will follow.

Template letter to local Councillor:

Subject: Request to Address the Loss of the 721 Bus Service

Dear [Councillor’s Name],

I am writing as a resident of [Your Area] regarding the recent changes to local bus services, specifically the withdrawal of the 721 bus between St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. This change has left a significant gap in afternoon transport for schoolchildren, particularly around 15:45, which aligns with school finish times.

The replacement services, including the 300 and 302, do not provide a reliable or well-timed alternative for many students. This has caused delays, overcrowding, and additional stress for families who rely on public transport for safe travel home.

I understand that reinstating a mid-afternoon service has been cited as costing approximately £200,000 per year, but I believe it is crucial to explore practical solutions to ensure all children have safe and equitable access to transport.

I urge you to support action by Hertfordshire County Council to:

reinstate a 15:45 bus service, or
introduce an equivalent solution that meets the needs of schoolchildren and their families.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope you will support local families in securing a practical and fair transport solution.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]