Bus firm’s change of route left us out in the cold

9:00am Friday 5th September 2008

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PASSENGERS were left wet and stranded when a bus company decided to change its route without telling anyone.

People continued to queue for the number 33 service at a bus stop in Tetbury Drive, Warndon, unaware that First bus company had changed the route.

Luckily, they were spotted by David Wallwork, who lives opposite the stop, and he went out and told them of the changes.

“Nobody had been told anything,” said Mr Wallwork.

“When I called the bus company they said it is not running anymore so I went and told people what was going on.

“I must have told at least 100 people waiting at the stop - it is a joke really.

“A blank bus timetable was put in on Monday but there was no notification that they had stopped running.

“It is surprising how many people do not know.”

Mr Wallwork, aged 62, suffers from bladder cancer and finds walking difficult. He uses the bus with his wife Joyce on a regular basis and enjoyed the convenience of the bus stop.

Now the couple must walk for a mile to get to their nearest stop in Cranham Drive.

First Bus, which is responsible for the route, admitted there had been a breakdown in communication and apologised to Mr and Mrs Wallwork.

A spokesman for the company explained the two stops in Tetbury Drive where on a “terminal loop” – a short route designed for the bus to effectively turn around. The number 33 service has been extended, which means this terminal loop and the stops are no longer needed.

“We had quite a few changes across Worcester and we missed putting the correct information on these two stops,” said the spokesman. “We do appreciate this couple acting on our behalf, they should not have to.

“We apologise and we are going to get a notice put up there soon.”

The changes are part of an attempt to improve the number of buses serving Warndon.

“When you make a change, some benefit and others do not,” said the spokesman.

To get more information on the bus routes near you visit firstgroup.com or call the customer service hotline on 0800 587738.