Homes in the Witham area are being leafleted to encourage people to use a long-campaigned for new bus route to Broomfield Hospital - or face losing it.
The 344 service from Witham, Hatfield Peverel and Terling to Broomfield Hospital and Chelmsford was introduced at the start of December in response to pressure from residents and councillors.
But transport managers have been disappointed by the numbers of people using the new service and are now leafleting 5,000 households with timetables urging them to use the new service or lose it.
Operated by Essex County Council, the service runs three times a day on Tuesdays and Fridays.
It was hailed as providing a crucial link for people in mid Essex needing to access healthcare facilities.
Nick Blackall, local bus planning manager for Essex County Council, said the 344's passenger numbers currently average eight per working day, or 1.3 passengers per single journey.
The service costs the council £200 a day to run.
Published Wednesday, January 8, 2003
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