ELDERLY people in Newport have spoken of their frustration following changes to their bus service that will see them having to book a mini bus 24 hours in advance.

Laura Tweedy, 80, who is originally from Birmingham, and Avril Howard, 72, who is originally from Cardiff, live at Lighthouse Park in Wenlooge. There are around 150 residential mobile homes on the site for those aged 50+.

A core of residents at the park rely on the 31 Newport Bus service from Marshfield, St Brides and Peterstone into the city. The service runs at set times of 7.30am, 8.40am and 9.50am going out and 12.20pm, 2.20pm, 4.20pm and 6.10pm coming back.

Bus services in certain rural areas of Newport are changing to an on demand responsive service and the contract for the route is finishing up on June 29.

The best tender price for a renewal of the same service would have seen a 133 per cent increase on the current budge according to Newport City Council.

The council issued an information leaflet and posters following consultation sessions with residents at community council meetings.

In making their decision, earlier this year, the council also enlisted an officer to sit on the bus for the whole day to count the number of passengers and to note which stops they got off at.

Although Mrs Tweedy accepts that some cuts had to be made she feels that the new mini bus system, which will involve booking the bus 24 hours in advance, is not practical for doctor’s appointments.

She said: “It’s demeaning. It was our lifeline to get out and about.

“We’re not expecting a special service but they could have consulted us better. A lot of residents have mobility issues and it’s not on. We’ve not worked all our lives for this.

“It’s taken away our rights and it’s not practical. We just don’t think it’s fair.”

Another resident, Mrs Howard, added: “We’ve hit a brick wall and are close to giving up.

“We didn’t mind cutting the amount of buses, but now we have to book on Friday for a Monday trip. It’s ridiculous.

“We feel we’ve been looked down on as it’s our only way to get by.”

A spokeswoman for Newport City Council said: “The council had to consider alternative ways that were both economical and sustainable to keep a bus service in the area.

“It was decided that a demand responsive service - that gives the control of when and where the bus travels to the passengers - was the best solution.

“This type of service already runs in Redwick and Bishton, and has seen passenger numbers increase and on average the frequency of the service has risen from four to six times a day.”