Arriva to close High Wycombe and Aylesbury bus depots
The company say that despite 'extensive efforts' to turn the situation around, both sites are making a loss
Arriva has announced its decision to enter into consultations with its colleagues regarding the potential closure of its Aylesbury and High Wycombe depots.
The company say "despite efforts" to improve their financial performance, both locations continue to incur losses.
According to Arriva, there will be no immediate impact on services.
While, the company is committed to working with local authorities to explore measures to mitigate any potential consequences should services be withdrawn.
"We have taken the difficult decision to propose the closure of our Aylesbury and High Wycombe depots," said a spokesperson for Arriva. "We will keep our customers and our employees updated throughout this period."
If the closures proceed, Arriva will cease operations on several routes, including X7/X8 from Aylesbury to Oxford and X9/X90 from Aylesbury to High Wycombe.
However, the X5 route, connecting Aylesbury to Hemel Hempstead, will continue to operate from the Hemel Hempstead depot.
Arriva reassures that it will fulfill its contractual obligations for certain services on behalf of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Councils until the end of the agreed contract term.
The proposed changes, if approved, could take effect as early as July 27, 2024.
Arriva intends to collaborate with local authorities to minimize any disruptions, and alternative operators may step in to provide services if Arriva withdraws.
Regarding ticket refunds, passengers affected by service discontinuations can request refunds through Arriva's website here
In the event of closures, Arriva pledges to explore options to redeploy affected employees to other locations or roles within the company to avoid redundancies.
What routes will Arriva stop running?
- X7/X8 – Aylesbury to Oxford
- X9/X90 – Aylesbury to High Wycombe
- 2 – High Wycombe to Booker
- 3 – High Wycombe to Castlefield
- 4 – High Wycombe to Lane End
- 5/5a – High Wycombe to Bourne End
- 6/6a – High Wycombe to Bourne End
- 7/7a – High Wycombe to Bourne End and Maidenhead
- 10 – High Wycombe to Downley
- 11 – High Wycombe to Penn
- 12 – High Wycombe to Micklefield
- 13 – High Wycombe to Totteridge
- 800/850/X80 – High Wycombe to Henley on Thames and Reading
- X9/90 – Aylesbury to High Wycombe.
What rotes will Arriva continue to operate on behalf of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Councils for the remainder of the agreed contract term?
Oxfordshire 800: Specific journeys diverted to serve Binfield Heath on Mon-Sat evenings
Buckinghamshire 11: Sundays 30 min frequency in the Evenings
Buckinghamshire 12: Evenings on Sundays
Buckinghamshire 7: Evenings on Sundays
Buckinghamshire 800: Evenings on Sundays
Buckinghamshire 6: Specific journeys
Buckinghamshire 11: Evenings