BUS passengers could be left stranded after Stagecoach confirmed plans to cut services in and around Rugby.
A number of routes are being discontinued, including the number 64 bus between Rugby town centre, Dunchurch, Princethorpe, Long Itchington, Southam and Leamington, and a section of the number 63 which links Rugby town centre to Clifton and North Kilworth.
Buses will also no longer stop at Hillside and Rokeby estates.
Replacement tenders for these routes are being sought by Warwickshire County Council.
A number of other routes will be combined, changed or scaled back, affecting Newbold, Overslade, Woodlands, Hillmorton, Long Lawford and Long Buckby.
The changes will come into force on January 5.
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “Detailed analysis has taken place to review passenger numbers on each route and ways of tackling services which are not commercially viable.
“Some services will be retendered by Warwickshire County Council and hopefully they will be able to publish the outcome of these in the near future.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse, who represents Paddox Ward on the borough council and Eastlands at county level, called on the leadership at Warwickshire County Council (WCC) to use savings made on free bus travel for the elderly and disabled to help prop up local bus services.
Coun Roodhouse contacted WCC leader Coun Izzi Seccombe and transport spokesman Coun Jeff Clarke to outline his concerns.
He said: “It is clear Stagecoach are pulling out and leaving some communities isolated and increasing social isolation for those who depend on local bus services.
“It can only be right that the under-spend on concessionary fares should be used to help and support local communities.”
A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said: “Stagecoach has made a commercial decision to reduce and, in some cases, cease operating some routes across Warwickshire.
“We are working hard to secure replacements for those communities most severely affected to ensure continuation of service and have begun the tendering process.”
Click here to see the full list of changes to Rugby’s Stagecoach bus services.
