No passengers service criticised

It is claimed it costs £500 per trip to operate the bus service

A bus service which runs once a week from south-west London and is usually empty, has been criticised.

The service replaces a rail service between Ealing Broadway and Wandsworth, which ended last month. A passenger group said it cost £500 a trip to run.

Critics say the government is running the bus to prevent the service being officially closed yet no replacement rail service has been planned.

The Department for Transport said: "We are continuing to monitor this line."

Passengers used to travel between Ealing Broadway and Wandsworth on the Brighton to Birmingham service, which ended last month.

Despite usually being empty, the 50-seater "ghost bus" follows the 70-minute route to Wandsworth from 0945 GMT each Tuesday, waits two hours and then returns to Ealing Broadway.

If it's just a sop to keep the line open while they get their act together to do the proper closure proceedings, it's a waste of money Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus

Critics say that by running it, ministers do not face the legal requirement of holding a public consultation to shut down the section of rail.

Anthony Smith, spokesman for customer group Passenger Focus, said: "It's a good thing if it leads to there being a train service put back.

"If it's just a sop to keep the line open while they get their act together to do the proper closure proceedings, it's a waste of money."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Consultation revealed a lack of demand on this line and for now a reduced replacement service will serve those passengers who still want to travel on this route."

He added: "We are continuing to monitor this line and are currently looking at the best way of meeting passenger demand which may result in more regular local rail services."