Jess Kirby, a urology nurse from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, has been forced to spend £371 on Ubers in the past two years due to consistent bus cancellations. She relies on Trentbarton’s 7.32am 34 bus for her daily commute, but claims that the bus is regularly cancelled, causing her to be late for work. Despite being reimbursed for the Uber fares by Trentbarton, the process takes about a week, leading to financial struggles for Kirby. She expressed her stress and worries about losing her job as a result of the bus cancellations, and shared how the situation has caused emotional distress for her and her daughter.
After moving to Sandlands Park estate two years ago, Kirby expected “good transport opportunities,” but has been met with constant issues with bus services. Following Trentbarton’s service cancellations in August 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself relying on the 34 bus from Langley Mill to Hucknall, which only runs once an hour. Kirby, who is currently on maternity leave but still has to take her child to nursery every morning, faces the challenge of dealing with frequent bus cancellations, leading her to opt for Ubers as an alternative. She has expressed frustration with Trentbarton’s lack of response to her complaints and fears that others in her community are also stressed by the situation.
Despite the availability of other bus services in the area, Kirby’s primary concern is the unreliable 34 bus, which she needs to catch at 7.32am to reach work on time. The stress of waiting for the bus, dealing with cancellations, and the financial burden of relying on Ubers have taken a toll on her well-being. She has repeatedly reached out to Trentbarton for a solution to the ongoing issues but has not seen significant improvements. A spokesperson from Trentbarton acknowledged the problems on the 34 route but assured that efforts are being made to address the vehicle availability issues. The company highlighted investments in new buses and improvements in reliability to alleviate commuter concerns.
Kirby’s daily routine involves waking up early to check if the bus is running, only to find it cancelled most of the time. This leads her to resort to Uber rides, adding to her financial strain as she waits for reimbursement. The emotional toll of dealing with unreliable public transportation and the impact it has on her work and family life have pushed Kirby to the brink. She continues to voice her frustrations and appeal for better services while coping with the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities amid transportation uncertainties. As the situation persists, she hopes for a resolution that will provide her with the reliable transportation she needs to navigate her daily commitments without added stress.
