MISERY and confusion may be in store for bus passengers as a timetable shake-up sees morning, evening and weekend services slashed.

More than 100 journeys are to be lost a week with some First buses stopping earlier, starting later or switching to hourly runs from the end of the month.

Workers, pensioners and shoppers will all feel the sting with several weekend routes being cut from January 30.

The firm however, says the changes are being made to match services with demand and under the current timetables some buses are underused.

The changes focus on Southampton city centre but affect passengers from across the county including those from Hamble, Townhill Park, Portswood, Bitterne, Shirley, Bassett Green and Lordshill.

Services to vital facilities such as Southampton General Hospital, shopping centres and doctors’ surgeries are among those being cut.

It will also affect those who spend money in the bars and restaurants in the city centre and catch the bus home at night.

Robbie Robinson, Southampton Pensioner Forum chairman, described the bus service changes as “ludicrous.”

He said: “This could shut down the city for some pensioners for whom the bus is the only way they can get groceries, visit friends and attend appointments.

“The changes will restrict the movements of people both old and young.

What will happen to older people who leave hospital or a walk-in centre late at night?”

Bar worker James Davies, 23, of Bitterne Park, said: “I am unhappy with the changes as I work shifts and in different locations and this will make it much harder for me to get to and from work.”

Shop worker Tracey Durham, 30, of Chandler’s Ford, said: “It will make it harder for me and my friends to go out in town as we can’t all afford taxis to different places. I wonder how many people will find themselves waiting by the parks in the middle of the night for a bus that doesn’t come.”

Tradesman Daniel Fry, 54, of Southampton, said: “Any cuts to services has to be a bad thing. I appreciate companies can’t run buses at a loss but it doesn’t do much to get people out of their cars does it.”

The 101 cut journeys are being made from the 1/1A, 3, 4, 7/7A, 11A/11C, 12A/12C and 17/17A.

A First bus spokesperson said: “We understand that people do not like it when things change but where demand for bus services has altered we must take steps to address this, ensuring our resources are used in the most effective way.

“The changes represent the need to match the level of service against the level of actual demand as it is neither economically viable or environmentally friendly to run empty buses.”

They went on to say there were no current plans to raise fares.

• See the new timetables

Which services are affected?

■ 1/1A
Mon to Sat Southampton to Hamble 9.47pm, 10.47pm and 11.47pm.

Hamble to Southampton 10.02pm, 11.02pm and 12.02am

■ 3
Sat
Southampton to Townhill Park 6.23am
Townhill Park to Southampton 6.45am and 7am.


Portswood to Townhill Park 6.51am.


Sun
Southampton to Portswood 10.40pm

■ 4
Mon to Fri
Southampton to Shirley 6.15pm and 6.48pm.
Sat Southampton to Shirley 6.35pm

■ 7/7A
Sat
Southampton to Bassett Green 11.10pm.


Bassett Green to Southampton 9.38pm and 10.38pm.
Sun
Southampton to Bassett Green 7.10pm, 8.10pm, 9.10pm, 10.10pm and 11.10pm.
Bassett Green to Southampton 6.33pm, 7.38pm, 8.38pm, 9.38pm and 10.38pm

■ 11A/11C
Sat
Southampton to Sholing 5.57am, 6.17am and 7.09am

■ 12A/12C
Sat Southampton to Sholing 6.36am and 7.16am.


Bitterne to Sholing 6.57am

■ 17/17A
Mon to Sat Southampton to Lordshill 9.31pm, 10.31pm and 11.31pm.


Lordshill to Southampton 10.05pm and 11.05pm

No cuts planned at Bluestar

BOSSES at rival bus operator Bluestar say that they are continuing to enjoy ongoing growth in passenger numbers so there are no plans to reduce services.

Ed Wills, divisional director, said: “We hope to announce improvements to our services with extra buses on selected services within the coming months. We intend to continue to freeze our fare prices for as long as possible.”