Stagecoach apologises to passengers for bus problems

BUS operator Stagecoach has apologised to travellers for teething problems with new timetables introduced after the August Bank Holiday. Although some complaints derive from changes to individual passengers regular journeys, the company accepts that ther

BUS operator Stagecoach has apologised to travellers for teething problems with new timetables introduced after the August Bank Holiday.

Although some complaints derive from changes to individual passengers' regular journeys, the company accepts that there have been problems with the new services.

Philip Norwell, managing director of Stagecoach in the Fens, told The Hunts Post yesterday (Tuesday): "We have had some operational difficulties, particularly on St Neots routes and especially about managing to keep to time.

"As with all major service changes, there are teething troubles that occur. I do apologise to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted.

"The 65 and 66 services in St Neots have been a particular concern, but we are dealing with that as quickly as we can," he added.

"We have taken on board all the complaints we have received," he promised.

Many of the complaints received by The Hunts Post have been about the lack of availability of timetable information.

"We knew information was a key issue we had to address, and the information is out there on our website and on paper.

"But roadside information, which we provide on behalf of the county council has taken a while. We've had to do much of the county, and you can't do it all at once. We should finish today or tomorrow at the latest. Unfortunately, St Neots is the last to be done - but somewhere had to be."

Paul Nelson, Cambridgeshire County Council's public transport manager, said the council had received complaints, but not in vast numbers. "The first few days, people were ringing to say they could no longer make the journeys they used to, and some were concerned about the [service] numbering.