Helena Dollimore MP has called for urgent improvements to the area's bus services, which have been hit by service cuts and frequent delays.
The local operator, Stagecoach, has significantly reduced services, citing "low passenger numbers" as the reason behind the changes, though it has not provided specific data to support the claim.
Residents have expressed concerns about the poor condition of buses, broken ticket machines, and late or cancelled services.
These issues have left local communities without reliable transportation, making it difficult for people to access work, school, healthcare, and other essential services. Some routes that once ran frequently have now been drastically reduced, forcing passengers to wait longer or pay more - sometimes double - for extended journeys.
Helena called the situation “abysmal”.
“Over the years we have seen buses decrease in frequency on our most used routes from four per hour, to now just one, or two per hour if we are lucky. These long wait times are unacceptable”.
She’s also brought attention to the environmental issues surrounding the unreliable bus service.
“Passengers should not have to put up with such sporadic service, which only forces people off buses and into their cars – precisely at a time when we should all be cutting our emissions to prevent a climate crisis,” Helena says.
Helena has met with Stagecoach South East's Managing Director Joel Mitchell and Minister with responsibility for buses, Simon Lightwood MP, to discuss the cuts and potential solutions.
Their discussion included the upcoming Better Buses Bill, which would give local communities more control over their transport networks.
Helena has also written to Stagecoach’s CEO Claire Miles, urging her to address the situation and prioritise local needs, as well as raising the issue with Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh, calling for national attention on the matter.
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