Residents in Andover say they’re fed up with ‘inconsiderate’ changes to the bus service and are urging Stagecoach to review the timetable alterations made in September.

People who regularly use services in and around the town have said they’re angry that they weren’t consulted and that the changes have left students and the elderly feeling vulnerable. 

Overcrowded Stagecoach busOvercrowded Stagecoach bus (Image: Jemima Pardy)

Jemima Pardy, 17, who lives in Weyhill commutes to college in Winchester and said the recent changes have made her journey unbearable: “The buses used to come every twenty minutes past the hour which was convenient as it gave students twenty minutes to get from class to the bus stop, now they come every ten minutes to the hour, which is before lessons finish at college, meaning students are forced to wait a whole hour until the next bus. It’s dark and cold and as a young girl this isn't exactly pleasant.”

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Jemima said the route changes have also led to overcrowding: “There are way more people taking the bus during the day, almost double. Despite this, they end us a smaller bus instead of a double decker. Considering most of the people on the bus other than students are elderly, this is hugely inconsiderate to them AND the students who have to stand the whole journey to make sure the elderly have a seat.” 

Iris Andersen, councillor for Test Valley Borough Council lives on Vigo Road and believes the timetable changes have left many elderly residents feeling isolated: “I am having people contact me that are in their 80s and 90s that are having to walk to different places away from where they live to get on a bus. They are exhausted they say they can't do this anymore.”

Iris travels frequently on bus 76 and said there’s now a lack of bus stops on the route: “I noticed the bus only seems to stop at South Way, what a long journey just to get onto the road to Whitchurch, Overton, and Basingstoke. We have been given this new route and they keep telling us this is quicker but I don’t think so.”

Jim Turner, a regular bus user, said pressure should be put on Stagecoach to review the timetable changes: “The routes round the town are a mess, I’m now waiting far longer for buses, we weren’t consulted and I think we need Stagecoach to re-examine the changes they made and listen to the people who use the service.”

Augusta Park resident Richard Hall said: “I currently use the Number 6 Service to travel to and from Andover train station in the morning and evening. It’s a half hourly service that does three loop trips in the morning and three in the evening. This service has been cancelled and replaced by one that doesn’t attend the rail station.”

Commercial Engagement Executive for Stagecoach South, Darragh Morris was approached for his reaction and issued the following statement:  “We understand that a small number of customers have, unfortunately, seen changes which have made journeys more difficult than before. 

"Some of these changes have been caused by an end to specific funding from Hampshire County Council, which originated as short-term funds from new housing developments around Andover.  We continue to work closely in partnership with the Council to ensure bus services are as effective as possible for the majority of residents in the town, either on an unfunded commercial basis or using any available subsidy funds for the least patronised routes.”

But passengers were not convinced. Jemima said: “ I prefer to walk as I will get to lesson sooner than if I waited for a replacement bus, but what about the people in wheelchairs, the elderly or people will small children? Are they expected to sit in a cold bus and wait and be late for whatever they have planned for that day? For my parents to be forking out almost £1000 every year for a student bus ticket, you'd think we would be getting our money’s worth.”