RECENT celebratory claims about a rural shuttle bus service have been countered by a group of passengers.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s rural shuttle bus, taking people from villages to Deeside Industrial Park, was described as “the right service at the right time.”
But passengers of buses stopping in Barrow claim they have been left behind when it comes to public transport.
Regular users say that buses will call at Barrow, before stopping at Tarvin, where many residents go to see a doctor, before continuing to Chester.
But they claim, having once enjoyed the use of a bus six days a week every hour, the shuttle now runs two round-trips three days a week.
Barrow resident Jay Turner said: “While it is nice to have a new shuttle bus I would have thought the money would have been better spent increasing the service.
“The drivers of the shuttle service are a great bunch as are the people who are at the other end of the phone when we book.
“But Barrow lost its village shop and post office just over a year ago and along with the diminishing bus service it is beginning to feel like living in the dark ages.Š
“All the users of the service are trying to make the best of what is offered in fear of having no service at all. Maybe this is what is in store in the future?”
Cheshire West and Chester Council, which subsidises the shuttle service, confirmed that it is the only service which stops at Barrow.
The shuttle bus also stops at Ashton Hayes and Stamford Bridge.
Users wishing to visit hospital must change at Chester for an alternative bus service to reach the Countess.
