Stagecoach cancels some bus routes in Chesterfield
Services 54/54a from Clay Cross will not be running for the 'foreseeable future'
Since the pandemic, there have been more bus service changes around Derbyshire.
Some Stagecoach services have been cancelled in Chesterfield today, with the 54 and 54a route no longer running for the 'foreseeable future.'
Martin McGowan from First South Yorkshire noted that there has been some changes that have affected passengers using buses over recent months as services have been dependent on a number of factors. One of them is the lack of bus drivers that are now available. He said:
"There's a shortage of drivers across the industry at the moment but we're doing everything we can to mitigate it with ongoing recruitment and an excellent training school putting new drivers out on the road and recruitment bonuses for trained drivers."
He added:
"We have had to make a few service changes in the past to reflect changes to driver availability and unfortunately short-term changes are sometimes necessary. We apologise for any inconvenience, naturally, and all the latest updates are available on our social media feeds."
Effects of the pandemic on services
McGowan also added that the effects of working amidst Covid-19 restrictions have impacted their way of working, as the demand for the routes from passengers is ever-changing. He said:
"We've also had to make changes to our services throughout the pandemic; initially to reflect the need for social distancing but more recently to reflect the changing travel patterns... and to provide capacity where it's needed."