PASSENGERS have been left frustrated by a bus service that regularly terminates one mile short of its usual destination without explanation.
Confused travellers on The W15 service from Hackney to Higham Hill in Walthamstow have been asked to leave the bus in Higham Hill Road, despite the front of the bus showing Cogan Avenue as its final stop.
This has left passengers, many elderly, with a long up-hill walk.
Disgruntled travellers have complained to drivers and operator Arriva but say they have been offered no explanation for the change to the service.
Joyce Anthony, 41, of Claremont Road in Walthamstow, has a pacemaker and says the bus has stopped short without explanation four times in the last three weeks.
She said: “I can't walk up the hill because of my health.
“I usually use the bus after going shopping, or picking my three-year-old son up from school, but I can't carry either of them all the way up the hill.
“Waiting for the next bus can take up to 20 minutes.”
“Some passengers have been on the bus since Hackney, some since Walthamstow, and there is no communication.
“A lot of the people using the bus going that way are pensioners. The only recourse is complaining to Arriva, but no one has called me back. It is really annoying.”
Dot Coppen, 58, of South Countess Road, Walthamstow, said: “I can't work out why the bus stops half way up the hill.
“There are some buses that carry on to Cogan Avenue, but most stop at Higham Hill Road and people have to wait for ages for one that continues the rest of the way.”
Ronald Adams, 72, of Darndale Close, Walthamstow, said: “The bus stops for no reason and no explanation is given.
“The last time I used the bus there was just an automated announcement telling us the service was terminated and we were told to get off.
“Luckily I am able to walk and love walking, but for others who are not able to walk far it is not fair.”
A TfL spokeswoman said: “Due to continuing contractor works on the Olympic site route W15 is suffering delays and on occasion needs to terminate at Higham Hill.
"TfL and the operator, Arriva are currently in discussions to provide a solution to keep the disruption and curtailments to a minimum.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel