PROTESTORS have hit back after the town's bus firm announced it could scrap a popular route in Caversham because it is haemorrhaging cash.

Reading Buses launched a consultation which revealed cost-cutting plans to axe the Pink 24 route and extend other routes across the town.

However, the controversial proposal will see several key roads lose their place on a bus route, meaning residents will have to find stops elsewhere.

Fiona Pringle set up a Facebook page condemning the consultation and neighbours have blasted the proposals.

Mrs Pringle said: "I have an elderly neighbour who was considering giving up her car but if these changes happen she won't be able to because the alternative bus stop is too far for her to walk.

"The proposed route misses out a big chunk of Caversham Heights.

"I don't know how they could get away with cutting one service and culling another.

"They are expecting school children and the elderly to find their own way around, it's amazing."

The consultation can be found at www.reading-buses.co.uk and runs until October 31.

Mrs Pringle criticised its length however.

"I am aware that Reading Buses extended the consultation by a week but that is still not long enough," she continued.

"There is hardly any advertising, they are relying on the internet. There is nothing at any of the bus stops."

Transport chiefs are also considering changing the pink 22 to a double decker bus and extending its journey time.

The new plans would mean buses would not serve Priest Hill, where a new retirement home is currently being built.

A post on Reading Buses' website reads: "We are committed to offering the best possible service for the people of Reading and surrounding area, and as part of this we reinvest profits to enable us to enhance services with improved frequencies, timetables and/or buses.

"There are times though when routes are not performing as they should and we need to ensure that routes at least cover their cost or are on the road to improvement (usually) centred around new housing or enterprise.

"Services in Caversham have long under-performed and, despite changes in recent years to try and address this, various increases in costs such as fuel and insurances, alongside other wider cost pressures, means that we are no longer able to maintain these services in their current format."

What do you think about the changes? Let us know by emailing news@readingchronicle.co.uk or call 0118 955 3311