Speech to Essex County Council Cabinet regarding withdrawel of subsidy to 20 and 167 bus services

I am here today to express my concern and worry over the proposed withdrawal of subsidy to TfL for 2 bus services that run through my town. I am led to believe, although it's not explicit in the agenda, the subsidy being considered for withdrawal concerns the numbers 20 and 167 bus services. The number 20 runs from Walthamstow to Debden and picks up many people from Buckhurst Hill including schoolchildren. Likewise the 167 that actually runs through my Ward, running from Ilford to Debden, is a vital lifeline to many people trying to get around you cannot use cars. Both bus services are useful if the central line is not working. The fear, of course, is that turning both bus services over totally to TfL that the services will become less frequent, prices will go up, and those receiving free Oyster Card transport , as a result of the subsidy, such as schoolchildren will have that taken away from them. Can the cabinet member confirm that we will get the same level of bus service, that fares will not go up as a result of subsidy being withdrawn, and that any current Oyster consessions for children and OAPS will be honoured? If he cannot confirm this and I strongly urge him to reconsider the proposal as this will have a very negative social impact on my area. If he is unclear on what TFL will do then again I ask that this be rejected and it is simply not good enough to pass the buck on this to TfL as you have responsibility to even residents on the edge of Essex