Passengers are concerned about a bus service which is due to be axed at the beginning of next week.

The W18 Red Rose bus runs to and from North Bushey and passes Watford Junction – however, on August 30, the company will be cutting the service completely.

This change comes only two months after initial changes to the bus timetable and neighbours are concerned they will not be able to get to Watford Junction or Watford town centre.

Watford Observer:

The current W18 route which is due to be axed on Monday.

Michael Kings, 66, of Highwood Avenue, Bushey, said: “The bus services have already been cut and they do not run to North Bushey after 6.30pm on weekdays and do not run at all on Sundays.

“Now they are planning to reduce it even further. The new timetable says the buses will not run before 9am or after 4pm.

“In London, the mayor is talking about the 24-hour tube service and they already have a night bus but here in North Bushey we will have nothing.

“Pensioners who use the buses will not be able to use their free bus pass but will now have to pay for a taxi despite some people not being able to afford it.

“Why reduce services that most people will need to use? Someone should have been told. We were not consulted about this.”

“I do not think Hertfordshire County Council know about this reduced service. I have tried contacting our local councillor but had no response.”

Mr Kings said most people who use the bus service are older neighbours who take the bus to get to the doctors at The Tudor Surgery, in Bushey Mill Lane, Watford.

He also believes Watford Junction should be on all bus routes as it is a main station into London with some London Midland services not stopping at Bushey train station.

Watford Observer:

The new route which will start on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, Andrew Dawson, said: “Red Rose aimed to run the W18 on a commercial only basis. However, they were unable to make this a viable route and contacted Hertfordshire County Council for assistance.

“We have to ensure that any routes we subsidise provide the best value for taxpayers’ money.

“Following a competitive tender process, we have agreed to subsidise the route from our limited budget so it can continue to run Monday-Saturday from 9.10am to 4.10pm.”

On the Red Rose Travel website there is a post which says the route will travel from North Bushey Baptist Church in Park Avenue via Watford Town Centre and Whippendell Road to Watford Morrisons.

It also says the route will no longer serve Otterspool Way, Watford Junction Railway Station or Clarendon Road.

The service will operate one bus per hour from 9am through to 4pm Monday to Saturday from August 30. There will be no Sunday or bank holiday service.