A new bus service between Borehamwood and St Albans will inconvenience passengers through increased waiting times and longer journeys, according to a county councillor.

This week the 357 and 655 services merged to form a new 356 service, because the county council decided that not enough people were using the two evening services.

The evening 356 service will follow the routes of both the 357 and the 655, travelling through London Colney, Radlett and Shenley, between Mondays and Saturdays.

However, only three 356 buses will leave Borehamwood and St Albans each evening, at intervals of up to two hours, and the full journey will take around 55 minutes.

County Councillor Brian York said: "You have to be pretty dedicated to use a service which only operates every two hours after 6.30pm and takes almost an hour.

"This is a fine example of how to put people off bus use I predict that even fewer passengers will use the new service."

In response to concerns about the reduced service, the council has agreed to pay for a 357 and a 655 to leave St Albans at 6.32pm and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday.

The county council, which is currently trying to reduce its spending on bus services, estimated that the 357/655 merger would save it £25,000 per year.

Mr York, who represents Borehamwood South, claimed the changes went against the the council's policy of trying to encourage more people onto public transport.

This week changes were also introduced to the Sunday 343/357 bus service between Borehamwood and St Albans, so that it now stops in Park Street and Colney Street.

October 31, 2001 16:05