CONCERNS have been raised over a public bus service taking students to and from college.

The issue revolves around Arriva’s number 10A (Chester to Connah’s Quay) and 11 (Chester to Holywell) services, which Coleg Cambria students are now using to get to the college’s Connah’s Quay campus.

This is because a Flintshire Council provided service which previously transported the students has been cut, with students now issued with a pass to use public services.

But one bus user said this has apparently completely overloaded existing Arriva services like the number 10/10A and 11.

She said: “Last Monday I was coming home from Chester - I got to Connah’s Quay and the bus was heaving. They had to leave behind half of the students who were waiting to get on. There was a lady on the bus with a pushchair who couldn’t get off the bus because the students had nowhere to move.

“Half of the students are even walking from the college and going to the Halfway House to get on the bus before the others, so when it pulls up by the college it’s already full. It’s affecting everyone, including pensioners - and when it’s that full you’re like sardines in a can and it’s roasting.”

Arriva said that it was at Coleg Cambria’s Deeside campus on Monday to monitor the situation. But the company has already provided an extra bus to run this route.

Steve Jones, Flintshire Council’s chief officer for Streetscene and transportation said: “Flintshire County Council has reduced the number of dedicated transport vehicles operating to Coleg Cambria by utilising the commercial services available.

“There were capacity issues at the start of the term which subsequently lead to the commercial operator providing a duplicate vehicle. The council has monitored the routes since the start of term and is in regular communication with both the operator and the college.”

A spokesperson for Coleg Cambria said: “The college is in constant dialogue with the local authority and Arriva Cymru, who are monitoring the situation. Initial disruption has eased off and the services are being reviewed by Arriva to ensure there are no further issues.”