STAGECOACH bus passengers from the Forest of Dean, Hereford and Ross On Wye have been expressing their anger over the announcement, last week, that almost all of the routes and timetables that they operate in those areas are to be changed, or axed.

As exclusively revealed in the Review last week, the changes will see the 24 service now starting from Joys Green, rather than from Ross on Wye, which means that Walford, Kerne Bridge, and Lower and Central Lydbrook will lose the only regular bus service into the city. The service, which was started just two years ago, was the first Ross to Gloucester service for many years. The threat of the removal of the service left many local Stagecoach passengers fuming.

One commented: "This is just disgraceful - and the company are really dodging the anger from the passengers. Even their so-called 'helpline', which many people tried to ring over the past few days, is actually a fax line, so we can't get through."

But as many customers of the transport giant are facing revised timetables or routes, the reasons for the changes to the services - which Stagecoach say are the result of a 'period of detailed journey analysis, roadside monitoring and a review of customer feedback' – are being challenged.

The basis for passengers calls for Stagecoach to rethink the changes is the fact that the company cannot pinpoint quite when their 'surveys' were carried out. With marked differences in passenger numbers from summer to winter, campaigners are angry that the changes may be based on false or misleading information. They also point to rural non-profitability being a hidden factor that has fuelled the changes.

Sue Dubois, of Newnham, who is a non-driver and an avid campaigner to improve the bus services to the Forest and Severnside areas, was particularly scathing. She told the Review: "If the level of passenger usage is so low on some routes it is no longer possible to operate, then the government will have to be lobbied. The last letter that I had from Mark Harper MP on the subject states: "The government announces that it would maintain current levels of support for buses until at least 2016."

She added: "The issue is that rural transport in the UK is getting worse, and it is affecting jobs, health and livelihoods now. The green message to keep cars off roads just does not work in areas like the Forest. Getting from one village to another can take hours, and impacts on employment opportunities. The profits are in the urban areas, and rural areas are being treated unfavourably."

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The Stagecoach service changes in detail:

From Sunday March 30

23 Service: Gloucester-Lydney-Coleford.

'Significant changes to bus times', particularly at peak times. Some evening journeys axed. Last buses from Gloucester earlier, at 5.40pm, and will terminate at Lydney. Minor changes on Sundays. Route unaltered.

24/24A Gloucester - Ross-on-Wye.

Buses axed from Joy's Green to Ross section of the route. Timetable significantly altered. New morning peak service Joys Green - Gloucester, arriving 8.50am. Service 24 school bus to Lakers has timetable changes.

30/31 Gloucester - Cinderford - Coleford.

Minor changes to peak times, with earlier bus into Gloucester. Extensive changes to evening service. Last bus from Gloucester now leaves at 23.05pm. Evening/Sunday services route revised round Coleford.

32/132 Gloucester - Newent - Ross-on-Wye/

Ledbury.

Minor changes. New 30-minute frequency for buses on Gloucester to Newent route.

33 Gloucester - Ross-in-Wye - Hereford.

Changes throughout the day. Last bus from Gloucester to Ross now at 6pm. Some early morning/ evening services between Ross and Hereford are axed.

34 Ross-on-Wye - Monmouth.

Four journeys a day each way. Some replace 35 service from Ross to Kerne Bridge.

35 Ross-on-Wye - Coleford - Monmouth.

Changes throughout day. Some services axed.

36 Monmouth - Hereford.

Timetable revised throughout day.

44 Ross on Wye - Hereford

Entire service is axed. Herefordshire Council are considering a replacement service.

School buses. No changes to most services. Service 872 axed. Gloucestershire County Council are considering replacement service.

For more detailed information, visit the Stagecoach website at http://www.stagecoachbus.com/west">www.stagecoachbus.com/west and click on 'Service Updates', then 'Forest of Dean service changes'. Or phone 01452 783540.