TWO bus services described as ‘lifelines’ for the elderly are set to close – after their operators went AWOL and allegedly left a driver to find everything ‘locked up and bolted’.

The circular 97 and 98 routes serving Sidemoor and Charford/Rock Hill respectively have ceased operating with the company that runs them, Euro Liners, currently uncontactable.

The 97 stops at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital on Stourbridge Road.

Bromsgrove resident Patricia Wheeler said the service was important to many, particularly the elderly, as it stops by request.

She said: “It’s a ‘hail and ride’ service that stops outside your door which is very useful for older people.

“It’s a very important service for them because some can’t walk to the bus stop. It’s a brilliant service for the older community, particularly because it went by the local hospital.

The services each ran five times a day, approximately hourly, from early morning to mid-afternoon, with Patricia adding: “Even though it was only five times a day, it was really useful.

“As a service, the whole community really appreciated it and you could tell that in the way that people talked about it.

“But it just stopped suddenly and I heard that the driver turned up to work to find everything locked, bolted up and boarded.

“I do hope it has not been lost for good. There is the 144 bus from the main road, but some people find it difficult to walk that far.”

She added that another company had taken on the route for a week, at the request of the council, but the Advertiser understands that firm has decided the service is not ‘financially viable’.

That was a sentiment echoed by Worcestershire County Council who, like the Advertiser, have been unable to reach the Euro Liners company despite repeated attempts.

They indicated the only likely way forward for the route is through a ‘community transport’ method.

Councillor Alan Amos, cabinet member with responsibility for highways at Worcestershire County Council said: “The 97/98 bus service was a commercial service run by Euro Liners.

“We were made aware by residents that this service had stopped, and we have been unable to make contact with the company.

“Other operators have been approached but due to low passenger numbers they have indicated that it is not a commercially viable route.

“We are currently talking to community transport about arranging an alternative service.”