Arriva bus service slammed as “dreadful” as more complain 

Bus users have slammed a service that runs through Croxley Green claiming it is unreliable and “dreadful”.

Following a story in last month’s issue of MyCroxleyNews about the poor experience one user had on the 520 bus many readers have been in touch to share their experiences of the service.

That story explained more on Natalie Carter’s harrowing time on the 520 bus when she was refused travel because the bus driver didn’t have the correct change from a £5 note.

It left Natalie, 33, “embarrassed” and “angry” although councillor Angela Killick waded into the row by writing to Herts County Council and also complaining about the service.

Now more bus users have been in touch to share their thoughts.

Jo Gardner explained what happened when she waited for the bus recently. 

She said: “It did not come on time and because it was raining I took shelter in the bus stop shelter on the other side of the road.

“As it appeared I started to rush across the road waving my walking stick. It sailed past the bus stop and me at great speed and I was late for the event in town.

“Most bus drivers I find to be very helpful. However, might it be an idea if they are prepared to look around for people wanting a bus when it raining as one looks for shelter.”

While James Hawes said: “I endorse all the criticisms of Arriva buses, but in particular the dreadful 520 service.

“It is an important route, because it goes to Watford General Hospital, but it is totally unreliable. Furthermore, the time indicators used at some stops are useless, because they often show a bus is running, when it isn’t.

“If I have an important appointment at the hospital, I sometimes walk to the nearest stop for the number 10 bus on Holywell Estate – just under a half-hour’s walk away. Those buses run every 10 mins, seem punctual, stop at the Hospital, and don’t carry that many passengers.

“Instead of running them every 10 mins, why not make it every 15 and use the buses no longer required to give a better service on the 520 route. It seems to me a sensible solution.”

Arriva were contacted by MyCroxleyNews but had not responded at the time of going to print.