Over 750 local residents have signed a petition urging for significant improvements to the 97/98 bus service connecting Churchdown and Innsworth with Cheltenham and Gloucester.
Presented at Shire Hall on March 25, the petition calls on Stagecoach to conduct a thorough review of the service and address ongoing reliability problems that have increasingly disrupted daily journeys.
Gloucestershire County Councillor Stewart Dove, representing Churchdown and Innsworth, initiated the petition alongside Sarah Hands, who serves Innsworth at Tewkesbury Borough Council and Highnam at Shire Hall. They emphasize that residents deserve a dependable public transport service that meets community needs, particularly improving connections with Cheltenham. The petition demands collaborative action between Stagecoach and council officials to implement sustainable changes enhancing punctuality and service quality.
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“We are deeply concerned about the decline in reliability of the 97/98 Stagecoach bus service,” the councillors said. “This essential route is failing to meet the needs of our community, causing major inconvenience, especially for morning trips to school and work.”
They point out that buses frequently fail to arrive on time, leaving children stranded and commuters frustrated. Recent route changes introduced in September 2023 have extended journey times significantly, adding to passenger dissatisfaction. The councillors criticized the lack of prior community consultation before implementing these changes.
“Our transportation system should work for everyone,” the petition states, “but currently, it is falling short of that goal.”
The petition concludes with a call for immediate action to restore trust and reliability to the service. “Enhancing the 97/98 bus route will ensure dependable travel options for schoolchildren, workers, and other essential passengers, providing much-needed peace of mind.”
Stagecoach has been contacted for comment.