JUST a few weeks after First Essex bosses received an official warning for their punctuality resident Michael Catchpole is yet to see any improvement.
STILL no improvement from First Essex.
Regular bus users may be familiar with the slogan "go online, check the time, catch the bus, no fuss" which is displayed at most bus stops.
With the continuing problems on the number 51 route this slogan should really read "go online, ignore the time, there won't be a bus, First doesn't give a stuff."
Yet again on the morning of July 11 the 7.26 (Waterson Vale stop) failed to show. After a 40-minute wait I gave up.
What is more frustrating is that First refuses to publish a local number at the bus stops that commuters can call just to check if there is a problem. with the service.
Realistically there will be the odd occasion when a service cannot run due to staff sickness or bus failure, but why doesn't First Essex make it easier for customers to check.
The text service is not fit for purpose as it only sends back information from the published timetable which is of no help when a service is just cut at short notice.
Nowadays we are being encouraged even more to leave the car and take the bus, but is it really worth the trouble when we have such a poor and unreliable bus company in place?
