Passengers have been left waiting for buses which haven’t turned up.

A number of Arriva’s smaller vehicles have broken down recently and – with no spare ones available – the routes are being covered by larger vehicles.

But they cannot get along the smaller roads, including the 481 route along Haynes Road, Nelson Road and Waterdales, all in Northfleet.

Arriva says the change is only until they get some replacement smaller buses, but that may not be until next month.

Marc Hurstfield, of Snelling Avenue, Northfleet, said: “A friend pointed out a notice taped on the window of the bus that said it was too big to go along Haynes Road, Nelson Road, or Waterdales so I get off in Perry Street and have five minutes extra walking. And the reverse on the way to town.

“What about the many old or infirm people who can’t walk the extra distance? Presumably they will be housebound.

I heard no prior warning of this change. On Monday, July 25, in Nelson Road I thought the bus was cancelled again. I have not heard that Arriva bothered to consult their passengers about the changes.

“Even five days later, the timetable at the railway station bus stop still showed the 481 going to Haynes Road.

“Clearly new timetables are needed but Towncentric hasn’t got any. Nor had they heard of any new ones coming out from Arriva.”

Glen Shuttleworth, head of operations at Arriva, said: “Unfortunately there have been some instances lately when buses have broken down and rather than cancel a service entirely, large buses have been covering routes that would normally be served by the smaller vehicles.

“On a few occasions, this has led to some bus stops being omitted in the Northfleet area because unfortunately the roads are too narrow to accommodate the larger buses.

“We do apologise for the inconvenience to passengers but I can assure them this is not a permanent change and Haynes Road, Nelson Road and Waterdales are still covered by Arriva.”

From September 4, the depot is due to have more smaller buses to cover the routes, so things should return to normal.

Other minor changes to timetables are also coming in on the same date, including a later service at Bluewater, which Arriva says passengers will be made fully aware of.

Earlier this year the operator’s Northfleet depot, which also covers Bluewater, had its entire 46-strong fleet fitted out with Wi-fi with funding from Kent County Council.