Watford commuters should watch out for 328 bus timetable and route changes as it is handed over to a new operator this weekend.

From Sunday Red Rose Travel will take over the service, which runs from Abbots Langley through Watford and onto Mount Vernon Hospital, after Arriva dropped it over financial pressures.

The route has been extended to the South Way Terminus in Abbots Langley and services will run every hour as before, although the last bus to the town centre at 7.10pm has been cut.

Watford Observer: The 328 bus is largely the same although it has been extended in Abbots Langley.The 328 bus is largely the same although it has been extended in Abbots Langley. (Image: Herts Intalink)The 5.39am and 6.35am buses from Watford to Mount Vernon have also been dropped, as the total number of weekday services will be reduced from 28 to 25 buses.

On Sundays, the 328 will still run hourly from the town centre to Northwood but the service has dropped from 12 buses to nine as the 7.53am, 8.53am and 6.45pm times were withdrawn.

The new timetable from June 2 is available here.

Watford Observer: South Oxhey Labour councillors Joan King and Stephen King in front of the 328 bus.South Oxhey Labour councillors Joan King and Stephen King in front of the 328 bus. (Image: Cllr Steve Cox)A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said it had been working closely with Red Rose and expected a “smooth transition” at the weekend. 

Arriva’s withdraw of the service drew criticism from residents and councillors, as it said the route was "no longer financially sustainable" due to lower passenger numbers post-pandemic and a shortage of drivers in the area.

Watford Observer: Around 20 residents gathered yesterday to protest the decision to withdraw the bus service.Around 20 residents gathered yesterday to protest the decision to withdraw the bus service. (Image: Nikki Ford)The service was only launched last November and replaced the 9 and 508 buses, as well as the 10 route which was combined with the 20 between Abbots Langley, Hemel Hempstead and the Holywell estate.

After a petition garnered 1,300 signatures and residents took to the street to protest, it was announced on May 9 that the route had been saved as Red Rose had accepted the tender with £280,000 subsidy from HCC.