Bus users have lashed out at a council's plans to cut more than £1.5 million from the bus budget. 

13,000 people signed petitions opposing Hertfordshire County Council’s plans to cut £700,000 from the subsidised bus services and in a consultation, just 30 of the 4,548 responses supported the plans.

But campaigners were left stunned after the Highways and Waste Management Panel agreed to consult the public on plans to cut even deeper than originally planned.

Plans include cutting funding from contracted services after 7.30pm on Monday to Saturdays and axing cash for contracted services that run on a Sunday.

Roy Telfer, 85, of Puttenham Close, South Oxhey, told the Watford Rural Local Area Forum’s meeting on Wednesday, November 12 that: "Arriva and the county council have a duty to run an efficient bus service, particularly for the elderly. We have no other form of transport.

"The county council states that it must look at value for money. How do you value a bus load of mostly elderly passengers?"

One person commented on the Watford Observer website, saying: "Why do they need to consult the public again? 

"Out of 4,548 responses, 4,518 responded said they did not want the cuts. Are they hoping that with a second consultation, the public will do a massive U-turn?

Another letter the Watford Observer received said: "Do these people not realise that thousands of us rely on public transport, I very much doubt it.

"The picture of them should be sent to rogues gallery on Crimewatch."

These proposals will now go to Cabinet, where they will be debated on December 15. If it is approved, the consultation is expected to launch in January.

Terry Douris, cabinet member for Highways, said: "Hertfordshire County Council is facing an unprecedented financial situation.

"Over the past four years the council has reduced its budget by £147m and must save a similar amount over the next four years.

"We will have to make some difficult decisions in the months and years ahead, but we have to prioritise how we spend our money to deliver the services that are most needed. This proposed new consultation only affects 2% of all the bus journeys taken in Hertfordshire, the other 98% of journeys are unaffected.

"We have listened to the feedback from our previous consultation and have come up with some alternative options to address concerns raised. We would like as many people as possible to have their say on these options if the consultation is agreed at Cabinet on 15 December. "