ELDERLY residents at sheltered accommodation schemes in Farley Hill are taking on Luton Borough Council over the axeing of a ‘godsend’ bus service.
The residents say their independence is going to be taken away when the dedicated bus service that takes them to the town centre to do their shopping is stopped next month.
Residents at Felmersham Court, Bert Collins Court and Bethune Close have been told the Farley Access Bus – which takes them to and from the town centre three times a week – will stop running on June 22.
The free service picks up residents outside their homes at about 10am and brings them back at lunchtime on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
It is understood that due to increases in costs the scheme is no longer commercially viable for operator Grant Palmer to run.
A petition of 30 signatures from Felmersham Court was sent to council chief executive Trevor Holden last week, but 81-year-old Margaret Chick said the residents had not received an acknowledgement.
“A reply would be appreciated,” she told the Luton News. “We sent it recorded delivery but we haven’t even had an acknowledgement.”
The residents say a taxi to and from the town centre can cost up to £12, and that they can’t use public bus services because pushchairs mean they are unable to board with their ‘tri-walker’ walking aids.
Jacqueline Langridge, 81, said: “The council keeps saying they want to help us with independent living, but this is taking away our independence.
“If they wanted us to pay we gladly would.”
Ann Fox, 90, said: “The bus is the difference between us getting out and not getting out.”
Peter Chambers at Bert Collins Court said the withdrawal of the service meant people would have to walk half a mile uphill to the nearest public bus stop.
“We’re a long way from the main road here,” he said. “I’m OK walking but a lot of other people who live here wouldn’t be.”
A council spokesperson said: “Members appreciate the difficulty the loss of the service may present to some residents and is therefore exploring alternatives.”