ELDERLY bus passengers say changes to a service have left them stranded.

Residents at two sheltered housing complexes in Darlington used the number 25 Stagecoach bus to travel to and from shops in the Branksome area.

But two weeks ago the service, which runs between Redhall and Branksome changed, and now people travelling within the Branksome area cannot get a return bus.

Pensioner Tom Haigh, who lives in Windsor Court, is angry that he can no longer use the bus to get to and from the shops.

He said: "Now the bus does not come back, it leaves me about a mile from home with no way of getting back.

"I have to get a taxi or walk, which I just can't do. Pensioners from Windsor Court and Branksome Drive use the bus to go and get their pensions, and we are all in the same boat now. It is so stupid to have a service going just one way when it is well-used."

Richard Cranmer, divisional traffic manager for Stagecoach in Darlington, said the service within Branksome was not well-used and the changes were made to make it more efficient for people going further afield.

He said: "The changes were made to increase reliability. We did a survey and realised there was a tiny percentage of people who used the return service within Branksome.

"Whereas the Redhall to Branksome return journey was taking place every 15 minutes, there are now buses every seven-and-half minutes."

Mr Cranmer said: "Passengers can still make the return journey in Branksome, but they have to change buses in Cockerton. They only have to buy one ticket for this return journey and all the drivers know to explain this to passengers, especially the elderly. No-one has been abandoned."

But Mr Haigh said changing buses was not practical for older people in residential homes. He said: "Pensioners can not be expected to jump on and off buses and wait for connections, especially in the winter. We have been forgotten."