Bus passengers are being forced to get off the bus in the wrong place, according to Labour politicians in South Oxhey.

Arriva axed the popular 503 at the end of August despite a petition which was signed by more than 600 South Oxhey residents and presented it to the bus company at Garston Garage on Friday, August 15.

But South Oxhey Labour Group described the decision by Arriva to re-route the number eight service between Abbots Langley and Mount Vernon, via Gosforth Lane and Hayling Road, as "chaos."

Councillor Joan King, South Oxhey representative and county councillor said she has taken a number of calls from residents who were experiencing problems with the buses.

She said: "On September 1, one lady was just dumped at Carpenders Park Station despite telling the driver he should be dropping her at her stop in Gosforth Lane. Another passenger was alarmed when she spotted a driver reading a map at the wheel.

"Another time a bus was so packed that there was no room for anyone else to board for a number of stops including an elderly lady with a walking frame.  

"Added to that I’ve had reports of drivers not taking fares or scanning passes so there is no way Arriva know how many people are using their services."

Councillor Stephen Cox, leader of Three Rivers Labour Group said: "It is bad enough that this lady has had her buses cut back severely, let alone being taken on an enforced excursion involving a long walk home because Tory-run Herts County Council hasn’t organised things with the bus company properly.          

The decision to axe the 503 follows on form Hertfordshire County Council’s consultation which is looking at axing funding to 52 of the county’s 119 bus routes.