Dozens of residents struggled to contain their frustration this week as delays and cancellations on key bus routes across the city left hundreds of passengers late for school, work and hospital appointments.

Bus company Salisbury Reds has come under fire once again as parents, children, commuters and elderly residents found themselves waiting at bus stops not knowing when or even if their bus would turn up.

The firm, which has been criticised before for its unreliable services and poor communication, has apologised for its performance, blaming staff shortages exacerbated by rising Covid cases as the reason for many cancellations and the reintroduction of a more limited timetable on some of its routes. 

More on bus disruption:

Resident Julie Ann Barker is among those impacted by the latest travel chaos.

The support worker, who travels to Old Sarum four days a week, said: “I don’t think they realise the knock-on effect it has on those people with disabilities. I had to wait over an hour again coming home with the same situation. I’m totally and utterly disgusted at the service.”

The R1, a service to and from Salisbury District Hospital used by NHS staff and patients, was among those affected.

Hospital worker James MacPherson said: “I use the R1 for work and it has become increasingly erratic. It is frustrating to wait in the cold at a bus stop not knowing whether your bus is going to turn up, especially after 7pm as the frequency reduces to every 30 minutes.

“Why can’t the electronic information be like it is at the train station where it tells you if a service is delayed, by how long, and if it is cancelled? I’m told that the app is a more reliable guide but if like me, you don’t have a smart phone, that’s of no use. The fares are also expensive compared to other bus companies which puts many people off using the service.”

Another resident, Di Trowbridge, said she quickly had to pick up her daughter so she could get to college on time after her bus from Shrewton to Salisbury didn’t turn up.

She said: “I know this can’t be helped but it would be great if cancellations could be put on the app a couple of hours in advance.”

Dorabella Grace also voiced her concern and said: “My grandson missed his hospital appointment and the lady at the bus stop with us missed her important doctor’s appointment. At least three buses didn’t turn up to the Heath and they are meant to be every 10 minutes."

The reduced Park and Ride service affects workers who travel into the city centre.

It had been expanded earlier this month only to be cut once again this week.

Responding to the criticism, Alex Chutter, general manager for Salisbury Reds, said: “Like many businesses, we have been affected by a sudden and significant increase in absenteeism because of a high number of our team having Covid and other reasons for being away.

"We fully appreciate the inconvenience for our customers when they go to catch a bus and it fails to arrive, so we have temporarily reduced the frequency of our Park & Ride services with a view that it will improve our service reliability.

“I’d like to ask our customers, whilst we fully understand their frustrations, please do not take them out on the drivers who are currently at work as they are doing the very best, they can in extremely hard circumstances and it’s not fair on them to be subjected to some of the comments received recently.

"Our hope is that drivers will start to return to work, the number of Covid cases will stabilise and we will return to operating all advertised journeys as soon as possible.”

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