Yellow Buses has revised its timetable in response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
The Bournemouth-based, locally owned bus company has rationalised services to reflect the current situation.
Yellows are operating what is described as an emergency timetable across the network every day until further notice.
Commercial Director Simon Newport said: “With the country on virtual lockdown we, like all public service transport networks, are experiencing a downturn in passenger numbers.
“However, it is also our responsibility to maintain a good level of operation to ensure that key workers providing critical services are able to get to their places of work across the conurbation.”
Mr Newport added: “The safety, health and well-being of our passengers and staff come first. We are continuing to carefully monitor the situation as it develops and ensure we are taking every action possible to reduce the impact and risk to our passengers.
“On top of our existing rigorous cleaning processes, we have introduced an intensified cleaning regime across our fleet and premises with all poles, handrails, seats and other key areas of our vehicles disinfected regularly. We are also in the process of issuing all of our drivers with hand sanitisers.
“With passenger numbers down and the likelihood that some staff will be self-isolating, we want to ensure our customers continue to have reliable bus times by creating a sustainable service robust enough to hopefully withstand any further disruption.”
In a separate move, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council concessionary bus passes can now be used before 9.30am and after 11pm after restrictions were lifted this week. The move will help ensure vulnerable people can take advantage of dedicated opening hours at some supermarkets.
Yellow Buses was acquired by its management team – David Squire, Managing Director, Simon Newport, Commercial Director, and Phil Pannell, Service Delivery Director – from RATP Dev in a management buyout in July 2019 for an undisclosed sum.
See www.yellowbuses.co.uk for coronavirus updates.