DOZENS of bus services in Darlington have been unable to run after claims at least ten drivers have now tested positive for Covid-19.

Arriva services operating from its Faverdale depot have been affected over the past two weeks after several more drivers contracted the virus.

Throughout the past week, at least 60 services affecting Darlington have been unable to run with town centre services seeing 'gaps' in the frequency. 

On Wednesday, almost 20 services between Darlington, County Durham and Teesside were left unable to operate, according to the firm's social media. 

It comes after a number of allegations were made against the conduct of Arriva in Darlington with drivers claiming the company was 'ignoring' Covid rules.

READ MORE: Safety concerns raised at Arriva in Darlington after driver tests positive for Covid

It had been claimed that social distancing rules were being flouted, buses were not being cleaned, and some had faced disciplinary action for trying to enforce rules on face coverings.

But The Echo has seen messages between Arriva staff in Darlington which claims bus services are being cancelled due to 'staff shortages' as a result of positive Covid-19 tests.

Messages claimed at least ten drivers based in Darlington have now tested positive for the virus and that there were high levels of absences, with 28 drivers reportedly 'off sick' last week.

Another message claimed bus services under the responsibility of the Darlington team were being reduced as of Monday, October 5, due to a lack of available staff.

READ MORE: Claims at least five more drivers have tested positive for Covid-19 at Arriva in Darlington

In response, Arriva North East admitted that some of its bus services had been impacted after staff tested positive for the virus. 

A spokesperson said that a "small number" of its services had seen cancellations, with other services being unable to run to advertised timetables due to Covid-19.

They said: "Unfortunately, positive Covid-19 cases have impacted on our driver availability in the last fortnight which has, in turn, caused some issues with services running as per our advertised timetables.

"Despite efforts to mitigate negative impact for customers as much as is possible, there have been a small number of service cancellations.

"We have endeavoured to keep our customers informed of service related issues (such as cancellations) via our social media channels.

"Our Customer Services Team has also been on hand to provide further information for customers on Darlington services.

"Our priority continues to be ensuring the safety of both our staff and our customers at this time."

Further concerns over the cleanliness of buses based at Arriva in Darlington also emerged with a picture showing a dirty cleaning wipe after it had been allegedly used on a steering wheel.

In response to further allegations, the spokesperson for Arriva said the firm continues to operate under "strict Covid-19 guidelines" to ensure the safety of its staff.

They said: "Arriva Darlington continues to operate under strict Covid-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of our staff in this continued time of heightened concern regarding the virus across the North-East.

"Within the depot, we’ve introduced mandatory wearing of face coverings in all staff areas and are closely adhering to the NHS Test & Trace process to minimise impact of potential further positive Covid-19 cases on our workforce.

"Increased cleaning regimes, including all touch points on our buses, remain in place."