AN Exmouth resident has written an open letter to his MP and the managing director of Stagecoach complaining about the 'revamped' 57 bus route.

The timetable for the 57 bus from Exeter to Exmouth to Brixington changed nine months ago.

Mike Groom said the service was 'very unreliable' which can make it hard for people who wish to travel from Brixington by the 57 buses from stops between Brixington School and Brixington Shops (so-called The Loop).

His next issue was getting a bus from Exmouth Town centre, which arrives four times an hour, people on the Brixington 57 route only get two an hour if 'we are very lucky'.

He also said that three or four days per week during the daytime this is reduced to either one or two within 10 minutes and then nothing for another 45-50 minutes.

He said: "Just view the statistics for this service and you will see what I mean. From a statistics viewpoint, you could well say you meet the 2 per hour by simply sending buses in tandem, but a regular half-hour service is what is required."

"Simon Jupp, the East Devon MP, made much of the new increased service on the 57 route, but in fact this resulted in Brixington residents on the 57 route receiving a much much worst service."

Mike Groom ended his letter by saying: "I am aware road conditions, accidents, works etc can cause delays, but Stagecoach seems unable or unwilling to be able to smooth the service from Exmouth to Brixington by extending those 57’s that terminate in Exmouth Town to cover the missing (late) service to/from Brixington, which results in a very regular service from Exmouth – Exeter but a very irregular service to/from Brixington.

"I stand in the town centre bus queue for what seems hours during the week waiting for a Brixington 57, whilst a stream of 57 Exmouth only or turned 57’s (Because they are now running in tandem!!) go back to Exeter, and listen to people moaning about the bad or even worse service now provided by Stagecoach on the 57 Brixington to Exeter and VV service, despite the praising words of our MP Simon when the improved service was relaunched."

He said that the the current situation cannot be allowed to continue, as passengers now see the 57 service from/to Brixington as very unreliable and look to other ways into the town/home, was this the intention to actually reduce the Brixington end of the 57 service and perhaps kill off this service to Brixington completely.

In response to this article, Stagecoach were contacted for comment.