The organisation representing bus passengers in the UK has expressed concerns over plans by a growing number of operators to reduce services in line with lockdown restrictions.

The aim is to prevent people making what are seen as unnecessary journeys at a time when everyone’s being told to stay at home unless they have a real reason to go out.

Bus Users Chief Executive, Claire Walters explained the concern saying, “As travel restrictions tighten it is understandable that operators will need to reduce services as passenger numbers fall. But there are still many people who rely on buses to make essential journeys, particularly key workers and people without access to local shops. It is vital that buses have sufficient capacity to ensure that everyone who needs to travel, can do so safely.”

She also expressed concern at the growing number of operators switching to cashless payment methods only, saying, “Cash-only payments prevent millions of people in the UK without a bank account from travelling, despite the fact that there have been no reported cases of Covid-19 linked to cash handling. Airborne transmission remains the biggest threat so accepting exact-change only payments and reducing face-to-face contact is the best way to keep drivers, staff and passengers safe. “No-one, particularly in such challenging times, should be prevented from making essential journeys.”

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