A number of Arriva bus routes in North Tyneside are at risk of being cut following a downturn in passenger numbers.
In response to the planned cuts, North Tyneside councillors are urging the public to show their support to keep the at-risk routes.
Bus operator Arriva has said it intends to withdraw a number of bus services which could likely affect many passengers in North Tyneside.
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The services include:
- 51 Newcastle - Holystone - Whitley Bay
- 52 Newcastle - Killingworth - Cramlington
- 53 North Shields - Killingworth - Cramlington
- 54 Newcastle - Killingworth - Whitley Bay
- 55 Newcastle - Forest Hall (Meadway)
- 553 (Arriva propose to discontinue the Freeman Hospital to Battle Hill section of the route)
An Arriva spokesperson said: "Arriva has given advance notification of its intention to withdraw a number of services that have been operating from our temporary depot at Walkergate. This notification has been given to our delivery partners, including Nexus and Transport North East, to assist them in identifying alternative operators and ensuring a smooth transition for customers.
"No final decisions have yet been made regarding the future of these services.
"The proposed changes are a last resort following extensive efforts to find a sustainable way forward. Unfortunately, due to a combination of operational constraints, as well as the challenges posed by reduced customer numbers following the pandemic, Arriva has been unable to find an alternative viable option."
The possibility of the service withdrawals led North Tyneside's Labour Group to galvanise public support for the buses with a petition to show public support for the continuation of the services.
The petition can be found here.
Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside Carl Johnson said: "The cuts to these services by Arriva will completely cut off communities from public transport. These buses connect to our town centres, doctors' surgeries and the two hospitals residents of North Tyneside use as well as major employment sites.
"Arriva is closing their deport and changes to the way the Conservative Government funds buses now mean Arriva don't feel they can run these routes anymore.
"Most buses now receive the majority of their funding through public funds whether it's concessionary travel reimbursement, the Bus Recovery Grant, or Nexus funding arrangements but we have no control over the network. We urgently need buses back in public control and make sure they go where people need them not just where the profit takes them.
"We're working with Nexus and other bus companies to try and save these routes, in the past because of investment from Labour councillors we managed to save a number of routes. We can do so again but we need the public's help to sign the petition and put the pressure on."
Nexus is currently examining if other operators would be willing to take over the at-risk routes.
Huw Lewis, customer services director at Nexus said: “We have approached the other two commercial bus operators in the region, Stagecoach and Go North East, to ask if they would take on some or all of the routes that Arriva are stepping away from. We don’t have formal powers to make this happen but we can act as a middleperson to get the best solution for local people as part of our new partnership with the bus operators, and the team are doing all they can.
“The six bus routes Arriva intend to withdraw are basically commercial services unregulated by Nexus, and the first question is whether another company would operate the same or a similar route as a commercial venture. If this leaves any gaps in the network then we will look to fill these by letting contracts using public money, for example for buses to run in the evening or on Sundays.”
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