Hambledon’s scheduled bus service comes to an end this Friday, with the final departure leaving Lane End at 9.15am. It will then take its route through the village – with stops at the hall, Woodlands Road, the Merry Harriers and Hydestile Crossroads – for the very last time.

It brings to end a service which, in various forms, has been in operation since before the Second World War. It will be replaced by an on-demand service beginning next Monday (Sept 2).

Up until the late 1970s the service was a mainstay for workers, shoppers and schoolchildren, an often-crowded bus travelling through the village eight times a day in each direction.

The axing of the 503 also brings to end a long campaign by Hambledon Parish Council to keep the route going. In recent years the service, operated by Stagecoach but heavily subsidised by Surrey County Council, was much reduced in frequency, just three times a week, twice in each direction. However, it was still used by villagers who didn’t drive or who had given up driving.

Over the last 15 years SCC proposed withdrawing the 503 on three occasions. Three times the parish council successfully opposed this, as no alternative was being offered.

This time it is different. The now infrequent 503 is to be replaced from next Monday by an on-demand service provided by SCC. This will operate between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, and 8am to 6pm on a Saturday.

Residents can book a journey up to seven days in advance or just 30 minutes (minimum) before travel and an accessible minibus will be despatched to allocated collections points in the village. This will include outside the village shop as well as at existing bus stops.

The journey – which may be shared with other passengers – can be to anywhere in the Godalming, Haslemere and Cranleigh areas, including all villages. Residents will need to first register with Surrey Connect and then use its app, on-line or telephone booking service.

The service can be used to visit shops, surgeries, and family and friends within this area, or to be taken to rail and bus connections to further afield. An adult single journey of less than five miles cost £2 and free bus passes are accepted.

Travellers need to register just once, by visiting www.surreyconnect.org.uk, by downloading the Surrey Connect mobile app or by telephoning 01483 744807 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Full details can be found here: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/buses-and-other-transport/community-transport/surrey-connect

This is what SCC says about its new service, known as Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT).

“Our aim is to improve the public transport services provided for our residents. The new Surrey Connect on demand services are replacing existing fixed route services which operated to limited hours of the day and only on certain days of the week. The increased hours of operation will allow residents to have greater travel opportunities and flexibility.

Our photo above shows the penultimate 503 bus leaving the village at the Hydestile Crossroads today (wed).

If you wish to join in commemorating the final 503 on Friday, hop on board for one last time. Members of the parish council will be on this service, as well as trialling the new Surrey Connect over the next few weeks. More details will appear on this website and in the Hambledon Parish Magazine.

Below is an earlier view of the 503 in the village centre and a photo from 1966, taken at the same location when the service was the 47, operated by the Aldershot and District Traction Company.