A bus service which acts as “a lifeline to pensioners” is set to be axed later this month.

The 875 service takes passengers to Tesco in Pinner, and runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays hourly between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

However Tesco announced in June that it will end the free service on July 22, arguing that not enough people were using it.

But this means the people who do use the service and rely on it to do their weekly shop are left with very few alternatives.

Despite being mentally capable, at 101 years of age Hazel Garnett-Peacham is not well equipped to do her shopping online - the alternative suggested by Tesco management when they announced the withdrawal of the service.

“I absolutely depend on this service – I use it as frequently as I can,” she says as she and several other passengers travel to Tesco on Monday morning. 

She has also written letters to the management at Tesco but is yet to receive a response.

Brenda Wall, of Howard’s Close, gets the bus twice a week. She has great difficulty walking even short distances and has to be helped onto the coach by the driver.

“There is no way I can afford to pay for taxis – I am desperate for this bus really,” she said.

“It brings my food in - I depend on it. Without it I would be stuck.”

“She won’t be able to get to the shops,” adds Ann Mulliner, 92.

“How the hell is she going to get her shopping? We haven’t got any small shops nearby.”

A spokesman said Tesco was speaking with Mrs Wall about “her individual circumstances”.  

One service user, Maggie Mayes, said even drivers and staff at the supermarket confessed they were opposed to the withdrawal of the free bus.

“It is a fantastic service – the drivers are great. We are all friends and it is a friendly service,” she said.

Driver Matt Russell, 32, said he hopes the service stays for the benefit of his passengers.

“I don’t want it to go – the same people use it all the time and they depend on it.”

A petition opposing the cessation of the service, which used to run seven days a week, has so far gained around 50 signatures.

Bosses at Tesco said another service run by Transport for London is available to customers.


An unnamed spokesperson said: "We apologise for the inconvenience other customers may experience. 


"Unfortunately, despite looking at a variety of options, which included running a reduced, three day offering for a number of years, we have not been able to make the service work."