CUTS to rural bus services have left people feeling like ‘prisoners’.
Difficulties doing shopping, getting to hospital and visiting family were all flagged up in a report by a transport group.
And the volunteer members feel the problems are ‘a major contribution to loneliness’.
Thurgoland parish public transport group is now going all out to address the issues but says more help is needed from within the community.
At the annual parish meeting, spokesman Roy Harris said the group was formed last November after a survey of how people are coping with cuts in bus services.
“Results show that people are finding it very hard to get around,” he said.
“We analysed the findings and saw lots of anomalies. For example, at the time there were four daytime buses a day from Thurgoland to Barnsley while Oxspring had 12.
“There was a sense of being abandoned. with people feeling like prisoners in their own village.
“Residents struggled to do shopping, get to hospital, doctors’ surgeries and visit family.
“This is a major contribution to loneliness.”
Mr Harris said the group aims to make people more aware of what is available and to lobby for changes to better meet residents’ needs.
A report on the situation has been submitted to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive with a request for a meeting.
“We have not had a response so far,” said Mr Harris, “and we would also like to meet with the local MP.”
He said the group is looking at the potential for a community bus service to fill the gap, plus support for a transport scheme to places such as Fox Valley.
“But we are stretched with all this, especially on administration, and would welcome more volunteers,” he said.
