At a public meeting in Dudley tonight, Arriva management and Nexus answered some questions regarding the Arriva service issues. Arriva said they have agency drivers route training now and they are hopeful they will have more starting very soon. This should allow them to cover their current timetables reliably while recruitment continues.

The Arriva management also said their plans are to return all services to their previous frequency when they have sorted the staffing. They refused to give a date, but did say the aim was by the end of the first quarter of next year.

The Nexus rep also confirmed that Stagecoach Cumbria would be taking on the Arriva 685 services.