A VITAL bus service to the hospital is under threat as the company that runs it say they are “not happy” with it.
Services 4 and 4A from Chester bus exchange in the city centre arrive at the Countess of Chester hospital 23 times a day, Monday to Friday, ferrying patients and visitors to and from the hospital.
The number 4 stops at Blacon on the way while the 4A stops there on the way back.
But Blacon could lose its only link to the hospital as First buses expresses its dissatisfaction with the current service.
It will stop running the buses in September and the council will have to find another company to take over.
One bus user said: “This will affect many people in Blacon, as many campaigned to keep this service running. It’s sad to see a well-used service finish.
“Many people use this service for many different reasons, and from who I spoke to living locally about this in Blacon, they are outraged by what this driver is saying, and a valued service ending.”
Duncan McGraw, a spokesman for First Buses, said no final decision had been made on the future of the service but added: “We are not happy with the service currently run on the 4A and we are exploring options with the council’s integrated transport team on this matter.
“As yet no formal decision has been taken.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council spokeswoman Shirley Whingfield confirmed the current service will be terminated in September.
“Cheshire West and Chester Council is working on a package to address the issue and if it would be funded by the council,” she added.
Any replacement service will be tendered by the council and run by whoever wins that tender.
