A DISGUSTED pensioner says she will be stranded after hospital bus cuts.

First Group have announced the 38 bus will be stopped on Sundays from October 13 due to the lack of customers using the service.

Gwen Hughes, of Norwich Road, in Ronkswood says this change will restrict her family from going out on Sundays.

Mrs Hughes, who catches the 38 almost every day, said: “It’s an absolute disgrace. Why are they picking on us? It’s wrong.

“It’s getting a bit serious now. What will happen if you have to go the hospital on a Sunday? Who can afford taxis? What will the residents do?”

Mrs Hughes, aged 65 added: “People don’t use the buses because of the poor service and they’re so unreliable.

“They blame this and blame that. The Sidbury road works they blame it on. But the bus doesn’t even take that route.”

Councillor Pat Agar, who represents Nunnery said: “I am appalled. I think it’s atrocious. It’s like going back to the 1950’s.

“I’m just cheesed off. Why are they not able to run buses in a densely populated urban area?

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“They are not running buses at the times and to the places that people want to go. I don’t know what they are doing. I want to see an initiative to see more buses.”

A First Group spokesman said: “We are making a number of changes to services from 13 October, including the withdrawal of route 38 on Sundays.

“We are a private bus operator and this route operates without public subsidy; unfortunately, there are not enough customers using the service on Sundays and we have reluctantly made the decision to withdraw these trips."

“Customers can see full details of our changes at www.firstgroup.com/worcester then selecting planned changes from the News and Service Updates menu.”

The Worcester News previously reported that First Group will be ‘pursuing strategic options, through a sale or other means, to separate First Bus from FirstGroup’.

A First Group spokesman assured its customers that the services will continue to operate as usual.

A First Group spokesman said: “First Bus is now on a much stronger footing, and we believe it is the right time to pursue structural alternatives so the business can continue to provide excellent service, ensure the best possible future for our staff and continue to meet stakeholders’ requirements.”