More than 620 Cheltenham residents have voiced their concerns regarding recent and “devastating” changes to local bus timetables. The town’s mayor, David Willingham (LD, St Mark’s and St Peter’s), who is also a County Councillor, formally presented a petition at Shire Hall on November 12 highlighting the community’s frustrations.
The petition addresses the September reorganization of the D Bus and 97/98 routes, which many say has resulted in “unreliable and infrequent services.” Residents report that the revised schedules have significantly impacted their commutes and daily routines.
Cheltenham Borough Councillor Julie Sankey (LD, Up Hatherley) has been actively working with affected residents to raise their concerns directly with Shire Hall officials. She shared how the new timetable has had a “devastating impact” on residents in Up Hatherley, as well as parts of Warden Hill and The Reddings.
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Sustainable Transport Cabinet Member Roger Whyborn (LD, Benhall and Up Hatherley) met with representatives from Stagecoach on November 14 to discuss these issues. They agreed that diverting the 97/98 routes to replace the old D route has not been successful.
Whyborn acknowledged the key problems: “The service has become unreliable, with a serious loss of frequency in the Hatherley area—some routes now run only hourly. Extended journey times, especially for those living in The Reddings, have further inconvenienced passengers. Additionally, there are noticeably fewer people traveling to the train station.”
Residents in Winchester Way have also expressed concerns about the increased presence of double-decker buses, a matter that appears difficult to address.
Whyborn added that Stagecoach has committed to reviewing the service and consulting the public for feedback in late January. Stagecoach has been approached for comment on the situation.