THERE are growing fears for the future of bus services in the Forest following the move by giant Stagecoach to take over Circle Line's operations.

Although the boss of Stagecoach has gone on record as saying that none of the Circle Line services will be dropped, at least one Forest bus operator says they won't be able to survive without massive subsidies.

"Now Stagecoach will have to go to the council for extra funding," said James Bevan of Bevan's Coaches.

"I warned as much eight months ago when Circle Line cut out many local service providers. I could see this happening then."

Stagecoach chief Martin Sutton told the Review that Stagecoach had effectively owned most of Circle Line for some time and had now decided to absorb the company.

"People will see the Circle Line livery changed to Stagecoach. This will take a little time, but we do not intend to change any of the service arrangements," he said.

He said he had been aware that there were problems with some of the Forest bus runs and there had been complaints about buses not being on time or even not appearing at all in some cases.

But he said Stagecoach would be taking "all steps possible" to make sure services ran on time. None of the schedules would be changed for the time being, he said.

Many Forest parents are already reeling from the announced withdrawal of Beards' services for pupils to Gloucester grammar schools – an independent run which Stagecoach says it will definitely not take up.

Bus firm K.W. Beard says it is to discontinue the service on March 31 because of the continuing ill-health of its director and because 'increasing demands' are forcing them to reduce their fleet and commitments.

It currently runs some 250-plus children from across the Forest to four Gloucester grammar schools – Denmark Road and Ribston Hall girls' schools, Sir Thomas Rich's and the Crypt School.

One parent of two boys who attend Sir Thomas Rich's, Doug Burgum, said the four schools and the county education department had so far failed to find a bus firm willing to supply a replacement service.

The biggest problem was finding anyone who felt responsible for the situation apart from individual parents, some of whom faced a 40-mile round trip twice a day.

It was 'ironic' in the face of the government's declared intention to get British parents out of the 'school run' mentality and into buses. As many as 200 extra cars could swell Gloucester's already notorious rush hour jams.

Elaine Neades of Huntley, whose daughter Samantha attends Ribston Hall, said she and other parents were going to approach MP Diane Organ with the problem.

Gloucestershire Education Transport manager Derek Lucas told the Review he had been talking with the schools concerned and with local bus companies and was "hopeful" a solution would be reached – but it was doubtful the outcome would please everyone so far as fare levels and pick-up locations were concerned.