Commuters left frustrated by an inconsistent bus service have launched a petition in a bid to get it improved.

Residents living in Earls Colne, Chappel and Wakes Colne, Fordham and Eight Ash Green say they have become fed up with waiting for buses which either don’t turn up or drive past because they are too full.

Tracey Tucker, of Swan Grove, Chappel, began looking into the issue after her daughter was forced to wait for an hour-and-a-half for a bus to Colchester last week.

She said: “The bus service is atrocious. So many people rely on public transport, but buses don’t turn up or they drive straight past you.

“It’s not just commuters getting fed up, its kids trying to get to school or hospital patients going to appointments.

“One lady who I spoke to said the bus has driven past her 15 times since September.

“There are a lot of people who are very unhappy about this and want it looked at.”

The 88 and 88A bus service, which is jointly operated by Hedingham Buses and First Bus, runs to and from Conies Road in Halstead and Osborne Street in Colchester.

A spokesman for Hedingham Buses apologised to customers after breakdowns on consecutive days last week led to delays.

The spokesman said: “In view of these incidents we will reconsider reinstating the morning journey cut out last September and have in any case been considering increasing the frequency of the route to every 20 minutes during morning shopping hours when we believe many people would find a frequent bus service to Colchester more convenient.

Steve Hartman, operations manager at First Colchester said the company would look into complaints.

Anyone wishing to sign a petition can visit: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/for-better-bus-service-in-our-rural-community.