A PARK North pensioner says reduced bus services in the area is forcing the elderly to fork out for taxis to get around.

Doris Connolly and her neighbours have found it difficult to travel to collect their pensions and prescriptions after a series of changes to their local bus routes.

Stagecoach’s Number 3 bus service between Abbey Meads and Great Western Hospital ran for the last time earlier this month.

Doris now says the removal of this route is the latest in a number of alterations to the bus schedules which have left residents frustrated and angry.

The 79-year-old said: “They’ve stopped all the buses that everybody uses and that’s not fair.

“They’ve taken everything away from us, it’s absolutely disgraceful.

“Now they’ve stopped the number 3 bus, it has stopped the old people and pensioners around here getting to the doctors’ and the hospital,” said Doris.

And she added: “They gave us a few months then they took it away.”

Rupert Cox, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “We started the service 3 to help link communities that were under-served by public transport but since we started the route another bus operator in the region has made changes that reflect our own.

Changes to other services like Thamesdown’s number five and number 17 routes have caused further headaches for Park North pensioners, who have had to take taxis to pick up their pensions and visit a doctor’s surgery.

Doris added: “People round here have to pay £12 just to go to Kingswood Avenue and back, it’s outrageous.

“They’re cut off from Cavendish Square and the Prior Road doctor’s, the 17 used to go there through Park North but it doesn’t any more and the five only goes there on the way back from town.”

Alex Chutter, Thamesdown general manager said: “We made some minor changes to our 5 and 17 routes during our last major network change in May. Park North was well served by buses, and there was no indication at that time that these tweaks would have any adverse effect on those living and working in the area.

“At Thamesdown, we are always keen to learn how people feel about our routes and services, and how we might be able to improve them in the future.

“These views are seriously considered when we make decisions about forthcoming network changes.

“Any customers who wish to comment can contact us via social media, email through our website swindonbus.co.uk - or call us on 01793 428428.”