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Calls for South East bus services to be restored

Sofia Akin
BBC News, South East
BBC A young woman with long brown hair looks at the camera, with her arms behind her back, standing in front of a bus stop on a high street.BBC
Erin Wigham's petition, calling on Stagecoach to reverse its decision, has got 1,600 signatures

Residents in Kent and Sussex are calling on a bus company to restore bus services following reductions to the service.

A number of Stagecoach buses, including in Tunbridge Wells, Eastbourne, Heathfield and Folkestone, have been reduced from half-hourly to hourly services.

Erin Wigham has set up a petition calling on Stagecoach to reverse its decision, hoping to "give Heathfield and other local groups a voice".

Stagecoach said: "We understand how vital reliable bus services are to the communities we serve, and we don't take the decision to alter or withdraw a service lightly."

On 30 March, Stagecoach changed its route 51 service, which runs from Eastbourne to Heathfield and Tunbridge Wells, from half-hour intervals to a once hourly service.

Ms Wigham said: "I don't drive because of my disabilities – autism, dyspraxia and anxiety. Having to get this 51 service is the only way I can travel to college."

A man in his 60s wearing a blue shirt stands in front of a bus stop staring into the camera. He has a crutch in his right hand.
Chris Rolfe said he had to get a taxi if his bus to the hospital did not arrive, which can cost up to £60 all together.

In Folkestone, a number of buses have been reduced, including the 74 which no longer serves Holywell Avenue.

It also doesn't operate on weekends or Bank Holidays.

Chris Rolfe, 66, has functional neurological disorder and fibromyalgia and relies on the 74 bus to get to hospital.

He said: "I rely on the buses especially for doctors' appointments and hospital appointments because I'm disabled."

In a statement, a Stagecoach spokesperson said: "In some areas, including routes in East Sussex and Kent, we've made changes to better match our services with how they are being used.

"We remain committed to providing accessible, dependable services and to working collaboratively with local authorities and passengers as we adapt to a changing transport landscape."

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