ANGRY pensioners are considering direct action against a bus operator for the withdrawal of a popular service.

Seventy-eight-year-old John Griffiths described the move by First to stop the number 48, which he says is used mainly by elderly people, as "crazy".

Now Mr Griffiths, of Winchester Avenue, St John's, Worcester, says he will discuss with other passengers whether they should take direct action to disrupt other First services.

Mr Griffiths said the 26-seater bus, which makes just two journeys a day, six days a week, to the city centre and covers large parts of St John's, was introduced because of the easy access into residential areas.

He accepted that some cuts were necessary but did not see why the service could not be reduced to just three days a week, such as Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

"I shall consult with others as to what direct action to take against the company, including disruption of the entire operation," he said.

Mr Griffiths and his wife own a car so they will be able to travel into the city centre but, he said, the whole point of using public transport was to reduce congestion.

Although there are other services in the area, Mr Griffiths said the elderly were less mobile and many could not actually walk to the stops carrying shopping bags.

"The number 48 virtually dropped people off at their doors," he added.

Dave Maciejewski, communications manager for First, said there were only a limited number of buses in the area and it could not run a service just a few times a week.

He said the number 48, which was withdrawn in mid-May, was a poor performer, but there had been an overall improvement in the core network.

"The number 31, which operates along Oldbury Road, and the 33, which operates along Bromyard Road, do cater for residents of that area and connects them with the city centre," he said.