Go North East service levels during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Go North East service levels during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
(21 Mar 2020, 2:43 pm)6049 There's already around 10-15% of drivers isolating or on the sick for other reasons at my depot. Not to mention those on holiday etc.Modt of the buses passing our house have been empty or near empty, this afternoon, both local and long distance. It's quite eerie.
I was sent a snapchat recently of what would normally be a busy service at around 11am and there was one person on the bus - it was on time and it wasn't following another either. Passenger numbers have plummeted - as they frankly should have given the advice.
Now the scenario facing us is that GNE (and other operators) could turn round and try to operate business as normal with these reduced numbers - having everything running round near empty. This is not economical and also leaves the very likely prospect of key workers standing waiting for a scheduled bus in a few weeks time, when we hit the peak, that doesn't show as the driver is in isolation. Customer complains etc etc. Or they preempt the situation, reduce to a key, core service which can be maintained by a smaller number of staff, so in the event that they do lose a significant number, they have a better chance.
(21 Mar 2020, 2:43 pm)6049 There's already around 10-15% of drivers isolating or on the sick for other reasons at my depot. Not to mention those on holiday etc.Modt of the buses passing our house have been empty or near empty, this afternoon, both local and long distance. It's quite eerie.
I was sent a snapchat recently of what would normally be a busy service at around 11am and there was one person on the bus - it was on time and it wasn't following another either. Passenger numbers have plummeted - as they frankly should have given the advice.
Now the scenario facing us is that GNE (and other operators) could turn round and try to operate business as normal with these reduced numbers - having everything running round near empty. This is not economical and also leaves the very likely prospect of key workers standing waiting for a scheduled bus in a few weeks time, when we hit the peak, that doesn't show as the driver is in isolation. Customer complains etc etc. Or they preempt the situation, reduce to a key, core service which can be maintained by a smaller number of staff, so in the event that they do lose a significant number, they have a better chance.
