AN action group has invited the managing director of a bus firm to a public meeting following months of unrest over the service it provides.

Rowhedge Travel Action Group said it had called its second such meeting in three years, after reading in the Gazette about 10-year-old Sean Sargent.

Sean was left stranded twice in one week after the 3.15pm 66A bus, from Rowhedge to Colchester, twice failed to turn up.

The Rowhedge St Lawrence pupil relies on the service to take him from school to near his home in Old Heath, Colchester, where he is met by his mum Vicki.

Each time he had to wait another half an hour on his own for the next scheduled bus to turn up. Rachel Martell, of the travel action group, said it was only the “tip of the iceberg” of complaints and problems.

The group has invited Alan Pilbeam, managing director of First Bus Company Anglia Region, to a meeting along with representatives from Essex County Council, Colchester Council and Rowhedge Parish Council.

It also hopes to have a resident speak out about the problems they face with bus provision in the village at the meeting in the village hall on Wednesday, starting at 7.30pm.

They plan to quiz Mr Pilbeam on the current running of the bus service, including its punctuality and reliability, the conduct of drivers and condition of the vehicles.

It also wants to raise with Colchester Council representatives the issue of Colchester bus station, which it says is filthy and overcrowded in certain areas.

Mr Pilbeam has confirmed he will be attending the meeting.