The extended 477 service from Orpington to Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater shopping centre was in operation until October 2022, when it was shortened so that it only went as far as Dartford.
After a campaign supported by MP Laura Trott, services to the hospital and shopping centre were reinstated by Arriva last summer, but will now end on May 31.
However, one Orpington local told the News Shopper that the extended route had not been given a fair chance, claiming low uptake was because it had been poorly advertised.
The bus company claims that customer demand had not met the “necessary levels to cover the additional costs” of running the extended route.
Angela, who asked not to be identified with her surname, said she had memories of taking the 477 bus as a two-year-old, and now uses it with her freedom pass.
She said that she had not realised for months that the extended route had been reinstated, and only heard about it through “word of mouth”.
“I used it all the time from Orpington station before it was shortened and it was very busy,” she said.
“I think it’s too short a time to say the extension is stopping, when people didn’t even know it had started.
“They should extend it over the summer, when people will go to Bluewater for the day.
“The roads to Bluewater can get extremely congested and, anyway, using public transport is far more beneficial to the environment.”
A spokesperson for Arriva South said that the decision to end the extension was based on “actual usage data”.
They added: “We understand there will be a few passengers who would like the 477 extension to continue, but it was always made clear this was a trial.
“It was promoted on our website and through standard channels.
“There are still frequent services continuing from Dartford to Bluewater, with easy onward connections from the 477.”
