Sammy English with Counc Bill Blenkinsopp
The Town Council invited Durham County Council head of Transport Adrian White and Paul De Santis from Arriva to answer questions on Aycliffe’s Bus Service.
After hearing presentations from both representatives Councillors asked searching questions on behalf of residents on the loss of bus routes in the town which are causing great inconvenience.
A number of issues were addressed not least the loss of buses going through Aycliffe Village to Durham and beyond. Sammy English was represented by Village Councillor Billy Blenkinsopp who drew attention to a petition Sammy had raised with over 400 signatures passed onto our MP calling for bus cuts to be reconsidered.
Councillors claimed some passengers are having to walk a mile to catch a bus when just a little alteration to bus routes would alleviate this problem.
“Residents are having to ask their employers to change their working hours to fit in with the bus times” said Councillor Hillary.
The Council heard that Arriva was providing 11 new “Platinum Service” buses in the summer whcih will have leather seats and wifi with ‘next stop’ announcements. Councillors said these were a year late already and could we rely on Arriva promises as they had broken too many.
Mr Santis said he would take on all the comments and report back to the Council in 6 months after all the changes had settled down.
He announced that Jobseekers would receive free travel and Bus Stops would carry real time passenger information on delays and arrival of buses.
