People power wins the day over bus service

The number of protests made by customers about plans to drastically reduce the free service to the Sainsbury's store caused the firm to think again.

The 12bn leading retailer intended to reduce the three times a week journey from Bognor town centre through Aldwick, Pagham and North Mundham to the store on Chichester's outskirts to just once weekly from next week.

The current Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning services would be slashed to only Fridays. News of the reduction caused dismay among the 30 or so regulars who usually fill the single decker.

They launched an impromptu petition when the bad news was announced by their driver and inundated the store's customer services desk with their complaints.

This was enough to convince Sainsbury's bosses that the bus - contracted to bus operator Stagecoach '“ was too valuable to their business to be cut back.

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: 'We had some customer feedback which told us that they really enjoyed using the service.

'Due to this demand, it is being retained as a three day a week service.'

The news was greeted with delight by passengers waiting to get on Tuesday's bus at the Rose Green crossroads.

Eileen Redman (80), of Rose Court, said: 'We were devastated at the prospect of the bus service being cut. People couldn't believe it.

'It would be annoying to me because the service is so convenient. I don't have to carry anything. I have been using it once a fortnight for about ten years and I stock up when I am at Sainsbury's.'

Barrack Lane resident Linda Morphett (59), a once a week user for about eight years, said: 'You can't get any other bus to Sainsbury's.

'They were never going to get everyone on just one service a week.

'People in Pagham onwards would have been left standing at the bus-stops.'

Occasional user for several years pensioner Daphne Ashton, of Wyde Feld, said: 'I am delighted the present level of bus service is being kept. The people who use the bus rely on it.

'They must spend at least 10 a time at Sainsbury's, and possibly 20, to make it worthwhile keeping the bus going.'

The service was introduced by Sainsbury's when it closed its Bognor town centre store in April 1990. The premises are now occupied by The Hatters Inn.

The bus originally ran on five days a week '“ Monday to Saturday, except Wednesday. It was cut to the current timetable about five years ago.

It takes about 30 minutes to get from Rose Green to the store where shoppers have an hour and a half to fill their trollies before the return trip.