A BUS service in Otterburn has come under fire after passengers were left behind due to lack of space.

The 808 service from Otterburn to Newcastle runs once a day, and on Saturday, October 29, around 10 residents were left standing at the bus stop after the 16-seater minibus was too full to accommodate them.

Last week, Coun. Peter Tully, of Otterburn Parish Council, raised concerns about the bus service.

He said: “People who had planned a day out in Newcastle were left standing, some of them mothers with pushchairs, which really isn’t on when there’s only one bus a day.

“Thankfully Alison Snaith from Howard Snaith stepped in and took them all down to Newcastle, otherwise they would have been stuck here, but that shouldn’t be necessary.

“I would like to know what service we pay for and what service we are getting.”

Prudhoe-based PCL Travel took over the service last year after Howard Snaith was dropped following a court battle.

A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: “The PCL Travel contract for the 808 service from Otterburn to Newcastle includes the provision of a 16-seater. Historical loadings have demonstrated that this vehicle size is adequate for demand.

“We are aware of an issue where demand exceeded capacity and so the operator has agreed to provide a larger vehicle on a Saturday in the run up to Christmas.

“Unfortunately, patronage on the vehicle does not warrant a larger vehicle being used on all journeys. The service is a supported service, heavily subsidised by the council, and any increase in costs could impact on the sustainability of the service.”

Peter Cowell, owner of PCL Travel, said: “On the day in question there were far more people than usual. By the time I got to Otterburn at 10.35am, we were pretty full and not everyone could fit on. I rang another driver to come up, but when he got there at 11.12am they were gone.

“We are funded to provide a 16-seater service and usually the maximum number we have is eight people, so we run at around 50 per cent capacity.

“From now until Christmas I have agreed to put on a larger bus on a Saturday, which began last week.”