CAMPAIGNING residents have forced a rethink over an axed bus service, but are less than delighted with the result.

“Rubbish!” was the response of one, after commuters were helped but not the majority of residents.

Around 200 upset Broadstone and Corfe Mullen residents packed an area meeting to protest at plans by Wilts & Dorset bus company to stop the No. 3 Flyer service from Broadstone to Poole.

The route whizzes passengers non-stop along Holes Bay to the back of Poole railway station, taking 10 minutes, and is a popular service.

“After the meeting it was clear that we needed to offer a solution to meet our commuter customers’ needs,” said Wilts & Dorset operations director Ed Wills.

“We are confident we have come up with the right solution that will also start on June 3 to coincide with our other network changes.”

The bus company’s answer is a commuter shuttle with four departures in the early morning, and four back to Broadstone in the evening peak period.

“Rubbish!” was the verdict of resident Roma Wright, 75, a frequent user of the service. “It’s good for the people who are commuters. But for people who use it during the day, the large majority of people, it’s no good at all.”

People with bus passes in Poole cannot use them before 9.30am and she said she feared the restricted service would not be well enough used.

Other residents were shocked by the loss of the service and some said they would be using their cars in future, rather than the bus.

“It will be use it or lose it,” warned John McVey, Borough of Poole’s passenger transport and accessibility manager, who is allowing the company to use their Route One buses. “There are more timetable changes in September.”

Ward councillor Mike Brooke said: “Clearly there is more to fight for and I will be pushing our council officers to talk to Yellow Buses as well as W&D to see if we can produce a timetable that would be viable and help everyone, not just the commuters.”