CHANGES to bus services have been slammed by Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western, who says commuters will be faced with travel ‘chaos’.
Mr Western says students living in the area will have to take two buses to reach university and is unhappy the Unibus service – which runs around the district to Warwick University – has been completely stopped in Sydenham.
He claims the lack of transport will impact accessibility and safety at night and that no public consultation was held into changes to the timetable.
Mr Western said: “I remain extremely frustrated and disappointed by recent events surrounding the provision of bus services in south Leamington and for the student community.
“The issues are serious and centre around the lack of consultation. The changes to the Unibus make no sense other than to provide coverage to new home owners in the emerging estates, not students.
“I urge Stagecoach to re-consider these changes immediately and recognise there is a need for proper consultation.
“Stagecoach operates a virtual monopoly in many areas of Warwick and Leamington and following these changes I don’t believe that this is working in the public interest.”
But Stagecoach say the changes have been welcomed by students and that route 67 has been increased in frequency.
They also say the changes were made with approval from Warwickshire County Council.
A Stagecoach spokesman said: “Regrettably the evening Unibus service only carried a average of five people during the evening operation on journeys to Sydenham. This clearly demonstrates there is little demand for evening buses around Sydenham. It is unfortunately not viable for Stagecoach or the council to fund a service for so few people.
“The changes to two services will substantially improve the service provided not only to the overwhelming majority of students living in Leamington, but also for students studying at Warwickshire College’s Trident Park site, those working at one of the many employers along Heathcote Land, visitors to the Leamington Rehabilitation Hospital and the residents of numerous new housing developments along Harbury Lane.”
Visit www.stagecoachbus.com to find out more about the bus timetable.
