I fear the worst for our bus service

Editor News editor Assistant news editor I really must complain about the Arriva bus service to Grove Green/ Weavering.

The No 19 timed for 9.33am from Tesco to the town centre is renowned for not running without any notice for the residents who have to wait hoping it will arrive.

Is this the forerunner to the service being cancelled?

Passengers will make alternative arrangements and so Arriva withdraws the service, saying there is no demand. The above service failed to arrive last Wednesday, nor did it arrive the previous day.

To compound matters, on Tuesday the next scheduled bus at 10.01am also did not arrive, meaning passengers who missed the 9am bus would have had to wait two hours.

That is totally unacceptable as it is impossible to rely upon the service.

Why can’t Arriva and the council Senior reporter install electronic displays? It is done in many parts of the country and around the world and at train stations, so why not Maidstone?

As a further example of the appalling service to Grove Green/ Weavering, the last bus from town is 5.45pm, which means many workers have to make alternative arrangements.

When I complained, Arriva’s reply was there was no demand for such a service. Of course there is no demand as people know there is no service. That is why I wonder whether the above 9.33am is scheduled to be removed from its timetable, ie create a ‘no demand’ situation.

Matters will only get worse as subsidies are removed. Still, I suppose Maidstone council is happy as it will force more people to drive and pay parking fees and the Chancellor will be happy as more petrol use means more fuel duty for the Treasury. Ian Stuart Weavering By email