A councillor is calling for a debate on bus services after passenger complaints over lateness.

Routes causing concern include the 481 Bluewater to Riverview Park and the 455 between Valley Drive and Dartford.

Cllr Robert Halpin (Labour), who represents the Singlewell ward where the 455 runs, has contacted Arriva and Gravesham MP Adam Holloway and is requesting the matter be discussed at Gravesham council’s next transport meeting.

He said: “The situation is getting worse. It seems a lot of services are deficient.

“The 455 service is erratic, it is outrageous. There is a GP surgery and dentists along the route which my elderly constituents rely on.

“I don’t think Arriva knows the impact this is having.”

Arriva has apologised and admitted there are problems but blames roadworks, congestion and vehicle breakdowns.

Cllr Halpin claims that on Saturday, July 9, the 455 did not turn up for more than three hours.

He knows of somebody given a final warning for being late to work every day as a result.

“This is affecting people’s livelihoods, their jobs and also the health and wellbeing of my older constituents" - Cllr Halpin

A disabled carer has also contacted his ward councillors, Brian Sangha and Makhan Singh, over the 481 route.

Keith Wassell, 53, of Kent Road, relies on this service to get him and the gentleman he cares for to hospital appointments.

He was frustrated by the 481 morphing into another service – the 482 – which he says was confusing for passengers.

The 482 has since been removed but Mr Wassell claims it has left some roads without a bus, and means the pair have to walk a further 10 minutes to catch one.

Michael Jennings, commercial development manager of Arriva said: “We are aware the 481 service has not been running to the standard we demand and that our customers expect.

“We have been adversely affected by a high number of roadworks during the school holidays and these, coupled with some vehicle breakdowns, have reduced reliability.

“We are trying to make sure the impact these cause is at a minimum and we apologise.”

Glen Shuttleworth, head of operations at Arriva, said: “Unfortunately the 455 service can be subject to delays when there is congestion surrounding the Dartford crossing.

“As well as road works beyond our control, there have also been some instances when buses have broken down. Large buses have been covering routes that would normally be served by smaller vehicles. Occasionally this has led to some bus stops being omitted because unfortunately the roads are too narrow.

“From September 4, the depot will have more smaller buses to cover the routes.”

The issue will be discussed by councillors on the Joint Transportation Board in September but Cllr Lesley Boycott, vice-chairman of the board, said: “Arriva is a private company. They are running on a profit-and-loss situation and we have very little say in the matter.”