Stagecoach has apologised to a 17-year-old who has experienced difficulty attending his apprenticeship due to the bus company’s service.

Luke Ayling, of The Street, Woodnesborough, is doing a business studies apprenticeship for Alpha Nano Solutions at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

He gets there by bus at a weekly cost of £12, taking the 13A at 8.13am from Woodnesborough to Sandwich and then the 88 at 8.40am to the Discovery Park.

Last week, Mr Ayling was not able to board the first of his morning buses because it had already reached capacity. On three occasions it did not even stop.

His mother, Lorraine, said: “One morning the bus driver stopped but said ‘you can’t get on because it’s full up’, which leaves him standing at the bus stop.

“I’ve then had to get in the car to take him, but that’s not always convenient.”

On other days, the former Sandwich Technology School pupil has had to walk into Sandwich, arriving late for work.

It is understood the issue is due to the schools going back.

Mrs Ayling said: “If Stagecoach know it’s a problem, why don’t they lay on an extra service or a double-decker? It shouldn’t affect their paying passengers. It’s just frustrating.”

A spokesman for Stagecoach said: “Firstly, we appreciate how frustrating it is for anyone to be unable to board their regular bus because it’s full. We’re very sorry that since the start of the school term two of the morning buses to Sandwich that serve Woodnesborough have been unable to pick up any more customers by the time they leave Ash.

“At the start of the school year exact numbers travelling are not known to us in advance and adjustments or alternative options are sometimes needed to accommodate the numbers of school children using the bus.

“We’re working very closely with the schools to ensure that children travelling to Sandwich are aware of all the bus journey options available to them.

“We’re also looking at ways to alleviate the situation by making some adjustments to the timetable which we would hope to bring in swiftly, subject to approval from the local authority and transport commissioner.”

A Stagecoach manager has pledged to give Mr Ayling a week’s free travel pass in compensation.