Campaigners celebrate after hospital bus re-instated (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Campaigners celebrate after Cirencester hospital bus re-instated

12:00pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By Ian Craig

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after a bus service to Cirencester Hospital was reinstated.

There was uproar in May when Stagecoach withdrew the 59 service to the hospital without any warning, with residents arguing sick and elderly people would have no way of getting to and from the hospital, leaving them effectively stranded or having to shell out for taxis.

However, last week Stagecoach revamped service 53, which travels between Swindon and Cirencester, so that its route now includes Cirencester Hospital.

Town Cllr Jenny Hincks called the decision a “triumph” for those who need to get to and from the hospital.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach West said the decision to revamp the 53 service, which was effective from Monday September 3, had been made following customer feedback.

The bus stops at the hospital at 33 minutes past every hour from 9.33am to 7.33pm Monday to Friday, with services starting at 8.33am on Saturdays, and some later services also operating.

The route, which stops at a range of locations around Cirencester including the Parish Church, Deer Park School and the shops on Chesterton Lane, does not operate on Sundays. For the full timetable visit stagecoachbus.com/