Row breaks out over changes to bus services during pandemic

The operator has announced that from June 1, some services are being altered. These include a number of routes in Sunderland, South Shields, Jarrow, Hebburn, Seaham, Houghton, Washington and Peterlee.

The North East Joint Transport Committee, responsible for the region’s public transport policy, has criticised the changes.

Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council and chair of the Joint Transport Committee, said: “Go North East’s decision to delete long-standing bus services at a time like this is almost beyond belief.

“Essential workers rely on these services, and we have told Go North East very clearly that we oppose their removal.

"During the Covid-19 crisis almost 100% of bus operating costs are being paid for by the public sector on an emergency basis: more than half of them coming from local councils.

"This demonstrates everything that is wrong with the current bus market. Private bus companies are happy to take the profits in the good times, but when times are tough their first instinct is to chop services.”

But Stephen King, commercial director at Go North East, hit back and said: “There is clearly some confusion here as these changes, originally planned for 17 May, were consulted on with local authority officers and members back at the start of March and changes had already been made following their feedback.

“Since then, the Coronavirus crisis has meant heavily reduced emergency timetables have been in operation.

“More than double the current level of services will operate from Monday as we start to ramp up in line with demand. These plans have also been agreed with Nexus officers and further adjusted following their feedback.

“On Friday we were made aware of some new, last minute, concerns and have addressed these.

“Throughout this crisis the advice to bus passengers has been to check times before you travel and this remains the case.

“Monday’s times are an increase, but emergency timetables are still operating for all bus operators in the region”.

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