Passengers still left stranded by unreliable Arriva buses in Winsford

Six months after highlighting the problem, Cllr Malcolm Gaskill says that people trying to get to work, college, hospital or the shops are still being left stranded.

"I don’t know what you have to do to get a company like Arriva to actually deliver on what they have promised," he said.

"Since June last year when I reported on the complaints I had received of buses not arriving, buses arriving up to an hour late, buses being set on fire, buses breaking down with tedious regularity. Nothing has really changed.

"The reasons given by Arriva to those passengers lucky enough to actually speak to them usually ends up blaming drivers for not turning in."

Cllr Gaskill said it is not the drivers' fault.

Cllr Malcolm Gaskill said drivers are not to blame for buses breaking down

"Drivers are not to blame for buses breaking down or setting on fire," said Cllr Gaskill. "Drivers are not to blame for a timetable schedule that means drivers depart from the railway station four minutes before a train arrives with a dozen passengers coming out of the station looking for a bus home.

"Drivers are not responsible for a timetable that requires the bus to Winsford leaving Leighton hospital before visiting times are over, leaving passengers stranded."

Traffic Commissioners in Swansea, he said, 'expressed great interest' as to which depot he was referring to when he contacted them.

Cllr Gaskill said: "I told the Traffic Commissioners I wanted to see if the service improved before making a formal complaint. "There was a brief improvement in reliability but we are back to breakdowns, poor punctuality and non-arrival.

"As well being responsible for the safety and reliability of the vehicles used, Swansea also have powers to ensure timetables are adhered to and a figure of 95 per cent reliability is required if the company hopes to keep operating a particular route.

Cllr Malcolm Gaskill says the Arriva bus service in Winsford is failing to keep to its timetable

"I am advised that a large number of the Arriva vehicles operating in Winsford are over 19 years old.

"The public has lost patience with this company and it looks as though another call to the Traffic Commissioners in Swansea is now on the cards."

Phil Cummins, area managing director for Arriva North West, said: "We are aware of the issues currently surrounding our Winsford routes and we are working towards resolving these to minimise the impact on our customers in the future.

"We are also hoping to make arrangements to meet with Cllr Gaskill and discuss these plans in more detail."

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Passengers say they are fed up with such a poor bus service.

Sonia Oxley said: "Something needs doing urgently. I have been late for work twice in one week,due to no show of buses or lateness."

Angela Davies added: "The bus service is a joke. The 31 doesn't work on the app. I've been late for work and on Friday night I waited an hour for a bus. I pay £19 pounds a week for my ticket."

Kathy Jackson said: "Definitely needs a shake-up, so unreliable, no wonder people use their cars instead."

Janee Ireson added: "Needs to be sorted. The government tell us they want more people to use public transport but it needs to be there and up to scratch in the first place."