ELDERLY residents in Cutteslowe fear they could become "prisoners" in the suburb after a decision to axe their bus service to Oxford.

The suburb north of Oxford lost its number 17 bus this week but Stagecoach revealed the service would still run between Jericho and the city centre at off-peak times.

Grandmother-of-sixteen Yvonne Buck said the service was better used by Cutteslowe folk and was "disgusted" by the decision.

The 76-year-old, who uses the bus most mornings to go into Oxford and for medical appointments, said: "There are many people who have to use the service, including schoolchildren going to places like 'Phil and Jims' and St Aloysius.

"We will have to walk to the Banbury Road when we lose the service next month and many of the elderly residents are disabled or not able to make it that far."

The number 17, which currently runs from Cutteslowe to the city centre – as well as Marston and the John Radcliffe Hospital in the evenings – will only run between Jericho and Oxford from July 21.

Mrs Buck, a former Oxford City library worker who uses the service to visit her GP and do the shopping, said Cutteslowe needed it more than Jericho.

She said: "We are further afield than Jericho and it is more difficult for the elderly people in the area to get into town.

"I have a problem with the left ventricle in my heart and I get out of breath easily I may not be able to get there – others have worse problems and need the bus on the medical side of things.

"We will become prisoners and be cut off from Oxford."

Jean Fooks, county councillor for Wolvercote and Summertown, said the bus closure was "very sad" but added a council scheme to provide minibuses for those losing their service may be able to help.

Last month the county council revealed a scheme that could see its fleet of about 70 vehicles made available for anyone in the county to book, whether for group outings or a trip to the shops.

Eileen Healy, 78, also from Cutteslowe, said the minibus idea was "better than nothing" but said their service should not have been cut in the first place.

She said: "It may work but the 17 bus is always quite full and depending on the size of these minibuses it may not work.

"The bus is a lifeline for me – I have very bad arthritis and while I can walk to Banbury Road I'm not getting any younger.

"I live on my own and have to get around for myself apart from when my three grown up children. I need the bus to visit people and do my shopping as well as hospital appointments.

"I'm furious that it's going, it will only mean district nurses will have to travel out more to visit elderly residents who can no longer make their appointments."

Spokeswoman for Stagecoach, Karen Coventry, said: "Regrettably, we are unable to continue the 17 service without further support as the income from fares collected, combined with the income from concessionary fares does not come close to covering the costs of running the service."