Unison said the situation had deteriorated since a free shuttle bus serving Horsham and Crawley was axed.

But bosses at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust argued it was creating a travel plan to ease difficulties.

Regional Unison officer Anna Berry said: "Unison is concerned that over six months has elapsed since the shuttle bus was axed, and almost five months have passed since the consultation was promised.

"Unison therefore calls upon the trust to honour the promise it made to conduct a meaningful consultation with residents living within the Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust catchment area, and to listen to the views expressed therein.

"We would also request that a timetable for carrying out a meaningful consultation be announced immediately."

The free bus link was cancelled by the trust in October last year because it said it was under-used and that the money could be better spent on other patient services.

It provided transport between hospitals in Horsham, Crawley and Redhill.

Unison welcomed the travel plan but was concerned that the recent draft plan made no mention of the public consultation.

Commenting on the draft travel plan, Ms Berry added: "The usage figures quoted (26 per cent) are those that appeared in the MVA survey.

"However, that survey has been shown to contain inaccuracies, a fact which has been accepted by the trust, therefore this figure is a matter of dispute."

A public meeting took place on Saturday May 17 in Crawley to discuss the problems.

But a trust spokesperson said: "When the trust agreed to review its decision about the provision of a link bus service for patients and visitors at the end of December 2007, it clearly stated that this would be done in the context of an overall travel plan."

The trust explained in recent months it had been developing a detailed and comprehensive travel plan which incorporated a wide range of travel options and developments for the short, medium and long term.

It also established a multi-partner travel group to ensure staff and patient views were included.

The group's first meeting at the beginning of May looked at improvements to car parking and bus stop facilities at the hospital.
It also discussed existing discounts for staff using some bus services and better facilities for cycling.

Business development director Andrew Hines said: "it will be vital to raise awareness amongst staff, patients and visitors about travel choices and facilities that already exist in addition to any new initiatives introduced as a result of this plan."

The travel plan will be further developed over the coming months.
The trust said this would give it a forum for a clear and informed review of the shuttle bus decision.