Young people and their parents in Herefordshire are expressing frustration after the withdrawal of a subsidised bus service has left many students struggling to get to college. The Stagecoach-operated 33 bus, running from Ross-on-Wye to Hereford railway station during peak morning hours, previously operated two services concurrently thanks to funding from Herefordshire Council. This funding has now ended, reducing service to a single double-decker bus.
Ross resident Michelle Hughes described the sudden change as “coming out of nowhere.” She explained that by the time buses arrive from Gloucester, they are already full. Consequently, when leaving Ross, passengers are packed tightly, and the bus often skips stops between Ross and Hereford due to overcrowding.
Her daughter, a regular passenger who chose not to be named, frequently finds herself unable to board, forcing Michelle or her husband to take time off work to drive her to college. They have even organized an informal carpool with other parents to cope with the unreliable service. This situation has added unexpected costs, compounding frustration as students already pay approximately £1,000 annually for bus passes.
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Safety is also a concern; Michelle fears that crowded buses on Herefordshire’s winding roads, where there are limited handholds, could result in injuries.
Birch ward Councillor Toni Fagan voiced strong criticism, stating that passengers “have been severely let down by Herefordshire Council and Stagecoach.” She emphasized that it is unacceptable to claim support for education, employment, and wellbeing while students are stranded at bus stops.
Stagecoach West managing director Chris Hanson defended the change, saying the extra service was only intended for “the first few crucial weeks” of the academic year. He noted they anticipate passenger numbers to normalize as in previous years and assured that Stagecoach will monitor demand and collaborate with the council if additional services are needed.
A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council echoed this, confirming they are working with Stagecoach “to explore options to address these concerns.” They acknowledged that while student bus passes do not guarantee a seat on commercial routes, efforts are ongoing to predict and meet students’ travel needs wherever possible.