BEREAVED residents unable to drive could soon have no public transport to the crematorium unless more people use the service.
Bus route 11 started running in June last year after Councillors Carol Eade and Keith Brockwell lobbied Metrobus for a service to the Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on the Balcombe Road.
But despite councillors receiving many requests for the new route, not enough people are travelling on it and the service is currently running at a loss to Metrobus.
Councillor Eade, Furnace Green representative, said: “Lots of people asked me about the possibility of a new route before Metrobus kindly put one in place. It’s disappointing that numbers aren’t high enough to sustain it but I’m not sure enough people are aware of it.
“The cemetery is difficult to get to if you can’t drive. It means people have to pay for a taxi or rely on someone else to take them which takes away their ability to visit a loved one when they feel they need to.”
And Councillor Brockwell, ward councillor for Pound Hill North, added: “We think the demand is there from the comments we received but it really is up to the public to use it. Metrobus have not stated they intend to cut the route but if it is running at a loss then it makes no business sense to persevere with it.
“Carol, I and the council commend Metrobus for acting so quickly to our request for the service; it really is a very generous public gesture.”
Route 11 operates one return journey on weekdays, except public holidays. The service leaves Crawley Bus Station at 12.15pm and arrives at the crematorium at 12.22pm. The return journey leaves at 1.45pm and arrives at Crawley Bus Station seven minutes later.
The cost for a single journey on the new route is £1.60. Over 60s with National Bus Passes travel for free.
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