Imagine being an 82-year-old who relies on public transport for your daily errands and suddenly finding out your bus route has been cut.

That’s exactly what happened to Royston Pressley, who had to crawl up a steep hill in the village of Netley, Hampshire, after his bus service was altered.

Fellow resident June Bangs, 81, stumbled upon him struggling on the pavement and heard him exclaim, “That hill is going to kill me.”

Community Reaction and Meeting

Residents in Netley, a village with a population of about 6,000, were quick to react.

An urgent meeting was called to discuss the impact of the bus route changes, which were made by the bus company Bluestar.

Bluestar insists that the route wasn’t entirely cut but changed to improve overall service.

The company claims that the new route will offer a better timetable, increased Saturday frequency, and new connections to Southampton Central Station.

Despite these assurances, many pensioners at the meeting were visibly upset, fearing they would be left stranded without adequate transport.

The meeting, which drew over 50 attendees, including the local MP and a council leader, revealed that the stops removed only served about 20 passengers per day.

Emotional Stories from the Community

June Bangs recounted the emotional moment she found Royston Pressley struggling up the hill.

She rushed to his aid and described his distressing comment about the steep hill being a serious challenge.

Rachel Foulkes, Pressley’s carer, expressed her frustration, noting that Pressley had given up his car and relied heavily on the bus for his daily needs.

Foulkes highlighted how the changes have disrupted his routine and expressed hope that Bluestar would reconsider.

Other residents, like 88-year-old Doreen Salter and 70-year-old Angela Humphrey, shared their concerns.

Salter felt devastated by the potential loss of service, while Humphrey questioned the viability of the service but acknowledged its essential role.

Bluestar’s Response

Bluestar’s general manager, Richard Tyldsley, addressed the concerns, stating that the changes to Bluestar 15 were intended to enhance the service.

The company has improved the timetable, increased Saturday service, and made adjustments to route connections.

Tyldsley acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the changes but assured that Bluestar 15 continues to serve local stops and that any extra walking required is minimal.

He explained that the previous route was slow and had punctuality issues, leading to the decision to modify it.

Bluestar believes these adjustments will boost demand and ensure the route’s sustainability in the future.

Moving Forward

As the community awaits further developments, the focus remains on finding a balance that meets the needs of all passengers while improving overall service efficiency.

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