I've been stranded after bus changes (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

I've been stranded after bus changes

7:30am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Cadisha Brown

Buy this photo » Out in the cold: Virginia Games at the bus stop in Heronswood Road.

A PENSIONER has been left out in the cold by a bus service she claims often fails to arrive after it was taken over by a new operator.

Virginia Games said the Number 10, which runs from Kidderminster town centre to Spennells, had “simply not been turning up” at times since Rotala, which owns Red Diamond buses, bought the Worcester Road island-based service from First Group.

The 72-year-old, of Spennells, said she had to return home from the bus stop in Heronswood Road on Monday after suffering a nose bleed while waiting in the cold for the no-show 9.45am bus.

Mrs Games, who cares for her disabled husband Fredrick, 76, uses the service – scheduled to run every 30 minutes – on Mondays and Thursdays to attend keep-fit classes for a break from her caring duties.

She said three of her buses had failed to arrive since Diamond buses started operating services in the town on March 3.

Dave Maciejewski, depot controller, said the firm had tried hard not to inconvenience customers during the takeover but admitted they had faced “teething problems”.

Mrs Games said: “It just isn’t funny. Old people are stood there in the cold. It’s just not on.

“I get to the bus stop five minutes early so it’s a long time to be waiting out in the cold for the next bus when it doesn’t show up.”

Mrs Games and her husband, who suffered two strokes, moved to the area from Lancashire in December to be closer to family.

They sold their car as they were near to the bus route but are now considering getting another vehicle as she says they “cannot trust the buses”.

She said: “The Government is talking about getting people off the road and back on to public transport but if we do not have a reliable bus service we are never going to get people off the roads.”

Mrs Games said she had to use taxis to get her husband to his weekly doctors’ appointments as they could not rely on the bus to get there ontime.

“It’s upsetting because we thought we would be alright without the car,” MrsGames said.

Mr Maciejewski added: “We have had teething problems with the new routes we have inherited but can reassure our customers that any concerns will be dealt with promptly and efficiently.

“We would like to express our appreciation to our customers who have shown patience while we have dealt with the few issues we have experienced.”