Selected bus routes around Dover and Deal could be cancelled or changed as part of a bid to save cash.

Bus passengers are being asked for their views on changes to 17 services across the county.

Kent County Council spends £6.4 million on subsidising 150 bus contracts.

It has already saved more than £1 million from its bus subsidy budget by renegotiating contracts with bus companies and is now looking to make a further saving of £500,000.

Matthew Balfour, Kent County Council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Over the past five years council budgets have come under increasing pressure as central Government has reduced its funding to the county council year on year. We have already had to reduce our revenue expenditure by £433 million since the start of 2011-12 and the budget for 2016-17 requires a further £80.8 million of savings.

“The budget for the support of public bus services is part way through a two-year programme, which is seeking to reduce expenditure on this area by £2 million from £7.6 million to £5.6 million.

“We will continue to work with bus operators to explore more imaginative options for service provision and look for new sources of funding, but it is likely that some services and journeys at certain times and on certain days will change or have to be reduced.”

The services affected will include the number 89 Stagecoach bus from Dover to Folkestone.

From Monday to Saturday, the 7.43pm and 9.57pm journey from Dover and 10.27pm from Elvington will no longer run.

This will make a saving of £66,391.

The numbers 541, 542 and 544 Regent Coaches from Elvington to Dover, Walmer to Sandwich, and Walmer to Canterbury which now runs Monday to Saturday will have a reduced service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.

This will make a saving of £20,000.

Other routes will see changes to timings for the 102 Dover to Lydd service, and the 14A Canterbury to Deal will see evening services no longer running from Sandwich.

Other services will continue to be operated by Stagecoach without subsidy and the council hopes this will save £21,122.

The 15 and 15A Stagecoach route will also be affected from Dover to Sandown, with the evening service not extending to Sandown after 4.55pm.

The consultation is now open and will run until May 15.

To have your say visit the website and fill out the questionnaire at www.kent.gov.uk/busreview