Social distancing 'doesn't work' for Stagecoach

Bus passengers being turned away

Buses across Devon are having to turn away customers if they get too full.

Stagecoach’s managing director Mike Watson told councillors at Exeter's highways and traffic orders committee that most of their buses are operating at 50 per cent of ‘pre-lockdown’ capacity.

He said that while there may be exceptions, the capacity limits mean that there had been times when signs saying ‘bus full’ have been displayed and that additional passengers can't board.

And he said that there were fears about what may happen in 2021 as the current agreement with the government to fund any losses runs out in January - and "social distancing means our business model doesn’t work."

Mr Watson said: “There are some occasions when this isn’t happening as the driver has to evaluate the safety and care of customers with the needs of people needing to get on, but we are looking at broadly speaking 50 per cent loading capability on service.

“This has restricted what we have been able to do and we are turning people away, with signs saying ‘bus full’ and then we stop additional people getting on, and that’s not great for us at all, but is what we have to do at the moment.”

He added that passenger adherence to the wearing of face coverings has been good with limited issues around compliance, and that at present, the revenue shortfall is being made up by the government.

But he said that the scheme runs until January, and he added: “If it is not extended, we will face a real challenge and have to take action on the network. Social distancing means our business model doesn’t work.”