St. David's residents say they are furious over alleged Government cuts that they claim have led to reduced bus service to the East End community.

Sondra Warner says she waited an hour for a bus only to be later told by the Public Transportation Board (PTB) of schedule changes brought on by financial constraints.

And Ronald Panchaud believes that the once 12 buses that travelled the Southside route have been whittled down to seven.

A Government spokesperson yesterday denied any permanent changes have been made.

"There have been no routes cancelled nor have any changes been made to any of the current routes. However, records show that from time to time due to unavailable manpower certain runs have inadvertently been dropped."

Ms Warner claims she was told by a PTB representative that the 4.45 p.m. and 5.45 p.m. buses into St. David's had stopped running. And she questioned why PTB made the decision to cancel buses that ran during rush hour.

"They told me that the buses had been cancelled," she said. "They said they were told to cut their budget.

"I would be waiting 45 minutes for a bus. By the time one came, so many other buses had dropped people off that it was standing room only. People were on top of each other.

"Now that the time has changed and it is dark after 6 p.m. I would implore PTB to reconsider this drastic situation."

Only one bus route, number 6, services St. David's. The buses travel from St. George's to St. David's, either on St. David's or Southside roads.

As a compromise, Ms Warner suggested buses could circle St. David's with a link at its entrance to routes to Hamilton and St. George's.

"You've got all those other buses going between St. George's and St. David's it's unnecessary.

"Just have one bus going out to Number One Gate and around St. David's. It makes perfect sense to me."

The changes have upset bus users, according to Mr. Panchaud.

"The tourists are in an uproar, not to mention the locals," he said.

"There is no transportation to the beach except 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Is this not ludicrous? We can get to White's Supermarket, but we can't get back except at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m."

The drivers are also taking inconsistent routes through St. David's, he said.

"I don't know which bus stop to wait at, and it is very frustrating."

Both Mr. Panchaud and Ms Warner said they were surprised by the lack of notification of the changes.

"They haven't even bothered to advertise these cancellations whether in the newspaper or on any of the radio stations," said Mr. Panchaud.

Even with fewer tourists, Mr. Panchaud said that the community deserves a regular bus schedule.

"Southside is a fast growing community now with its own supermarket, theatre, restaurants, Police station, bowling alley, fire station, beaches, private plane airport, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields and yes, even our own bus terminal when [PTB] gets around to it," he said.

"What makes all this work is a good transportation system. Give us back our full bus schedule."

The Government spokesperson said that improvements are in the planning stage.

"We have planned adjustments to the service on this route to cover the existing gap. This means that the last weekday trip into St. David's via Southside will be at 7.45 p.m. and the last weekday trip out of St. David's via the main road will be at 8.10 p.m. rather than 8.45 and 9.10 p.m. respectively."