Cheltenham residents call for bus timetable re-think
Residents say changes have led to unreliable and infrequent services
More than 620 people in Cheltenham are calling for a re-think over “devastating” bus timetable changes.
The spa town’s mayor David Willingham (LD, St Mark’s and St Peter’s), who is also a County Councillor, presented a petition at Shire Hall on November 12.
He told the meeting it concerns the reorganisation of the D Bus and 97/98 route which changed in September .
There are concerns it has led to “unreliable and infrequent services”.
Earlier this week, Cheltenham Borough Councillor Julie Sankey (LD, Up Hatherley) helped residents raise their concerns directly with Shire Hall chiefs.
She said they have shared stories about the “devastating impact the new bus timetable is having on the lives of many people in Up Hatherley as well as parts of Warden Hill and The Reddings”.
Sustainable transport cabinet member Roger Whyborn (LD, Benhall and Up Hatherley) said he and officers met with Stagecoach representatives on November 14 to discuss the impact of the changes.
They agreed that diverting the 97/98 to replace the old D route was not going well, he said.
“It’s an unreliable service, serious loss of frequency in the Hatherley area – some routes only hourly,” he said.
“Also extended journey times, especially if you live in the Reddings area; less people travelling on journeys to the train station.”
He said there were also concerns from residents in Winchester Way about “too many double deckers though that may not be something we can do much about”.
“I believe I extracted a promise from Stagecoach to have a review and ask the public their views in late January.”
Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, said they have seen an increase in customer use since the changes.
But they recognise there are concerns and are working with the council to look at what tweaks could be made to the bus network.
“Following the changes made to the Cheltenham network on 31 August 2025, we’ve been pleased in the positive increase in customer use on our services.
“However, we recognise that from this petition that there is still a feeling amongst some people in our communities have found it harder to travel.
“We are therefore working closely with County Council officers to ensure those voices are heard to see what positive tweaks that we can make to the bus network.”