Bus firms' appeal as the lockdown eases

Bus firms in the North East are encouraging passengers to only travel when they need to as the coronavirus lockdown eases.

While increasing the number of services in line with demand, firms are still running emergency timetables.

NEbus,theNorthEast Bus Operators’ Association, has been in consultation with local authorities onchangestotimetables and prepare for what service provisionmightlooklikein the future.

Busoperatorshaveagreed to continue to accept each other’s return, day and season tickets during the crisis.

Capacity is currently reduced by social distancing rules, so customers are being encouraged to only travel whentheyneedtoandideally adjust their journeys to quieter times of the day.

They are also asking customerstopayusingacontactless bankcard or buy tickets in advance if at all possible, take a seat promptly when boarding, sit apart and observe the ‘stand back’ twometrelinefromdriverswhen alighting.

‘Bus full’ signs will be displayed once they reach the temporary limits, but operatorssaytheyare monitoring timetables daily and working to provide extra capacity, where possible.

Martijn Gilbert, Chair of NEbus, said: “By working together the region’sbusoperatorsandlocal authorities have been able to movefastanddeliverthebest possible response during these unprecedented times.

“Co-ordinating timetable, collecting feedback on key worker journeys, sharing best practice and enabling the mutual acceptance ofticketshashelpedoptimise the local bus network.”