Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has called on Warwickshire County Council to reconsider plans to change the number 16 bus to an on-demand service.

WCC announced the new 'game-changing' IndieGo PLUS service earlier this month but residents have labeled the decision as 'ludicrous'.

The on-demand bus, which will cost at least £4 per trip, has to be requested via an app or through the council's call centre.

The number 16 serves Hatton Park, Hampton Magna, Warwick, Leek Wootton and Kenilworth but will be replaced from Monday 16 May 2022.

Run by Stagecoach, the bus is subsidised by Warwickshire County Council.

But Mr Western says the loss of the service - which has been repeatedly reduced over the years - would leave elderly residents and those without cars in the villages of Hampton Magna and Hatton stranded.

Council bosses have axed the number 16 "following a review that found its historic and current use were more expensive compared to the costs of the on-demand service".

Labour MP for Warwick and Kenilworth Matt Western has urged Warwickshire County Council to reconsider

Chase Meadow resident Daniel Whitworth – whose elderly grandmother relies on the service – said the cost of a ticket to visit her would quadruple overnight.

"My grandmother, who lives in Hampton Magna, has already seen years of consistent reductions in bus service to the village from a half-hourly service, to hourly and then bi-hourly for the past several years," he said.

"This reduction in service has led to it being practically unusable and it is no wonder that passenger numbers are so low as to be unprofitable and unsustainable.

"In a village which is populated mostly by the elderly, it seems ludicrous to cut, in their entirety, the remnants of the bus service which for many is the only way to get around, and replace it with a confusing, expensive and illogical service."

He added that forcing people into cars would be bad for the environment and out of step with the council's own climate emergency targets.

Another user and Hatton resident Judith Wilkinson, aged 75, said: "It is really disturbing the number 16 bus is being cut as we all realise Warwickshire County Council has been working towards this end for many years - it is unfair on more elderly people, school children and those who no longer drive."

Mr Western said: "What residents want is regular, dependable and cheap services - but with the introduction of the new demand-responsive service they will not get that.

"I understand the conundrum for the county council because budgets for public transport are being continually cut by the government which leaves it in a difficult position.

"This is not to say, however, that the change of service was unavoidable.

"Not enough is being done to encourage people onto public transport and advertise its availability.

"The council can still do more to stand up for residents and lobby to win more funding for services."

(Matt Western image via parliament.uk)