PATIENTS claim they are being forced to rearrange hospital appointments because of changes to Darwen’s bus service.

Pensioner Kathleen Tomlinson, of Chaples, catches the number two Lancashire United service to visit the Royal Blackburn Hospital’s audiology department.

She has hit out at operator Transdev after changes came into force on Sunday, meaning that the service which was half-hourly now only runs once every 60 minutes. Blackburn bus services to the hospital operate at a 15-minute interval.

Mrs Tomlinson said: “I have an appointment on Thursday at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. Because the bus runs hourly, it would mean I would get there 45 minutes too soon, so I have rung up to change the time.

“But it’s not always possible to change appointments, and it also impacts on people visiting patients.

“I know of at least three other people who have had to rearrange appointments for the same reason, so it is affecting a lot of people.”

She questioned why Darwen had an hourly service while Blackburn was served better.

Mrs Tomlinson added: “I could get the bus from Darwen town centre to Blackburn in order to get one of their buses to the hospital, but that would be inconvenient and would surely cost the company more.

“I know a lot of pensioners who wouldn’t mind paying 50p to keep the services.”

Town Councillor Brenda Cronshaw said: “It seems very unfair Darwen only get an hourly service now.

“What needs to be remembered is that this doesn’t only go to the hospital, but connects people to Burnley services.”

Transdev Lancashire United marketing director Nigel Eggleton apologised, but said publicity on the changes had been publicised three weeks ago.

He said: “We had no choice but to reduce the frequency between Darwen and the hospital on the no2 route. Not enough people were using it to warrant the half hour frequency. We hope that passengers will be soon get used to the new timetable.”