Several bus routes are due to be reintroduced next week at a reduced rate despite ongoing industrial action from workers.
Go North East has revealed 14 services serving County Durham will operate again from Monday, November 27, after the bus operator struck a deal with Durham County Council.
The latest update from the operator confirms it is running all school services, certain contracted services, and is aiming to restore a skeleton service on as many routes as possible.
Extra staff have also been drafted in from elsewhere in the business to cope with the shortage.
“These duties are being covered by office workers and managers with bus driving licences, as well as regular drivers who have opted to return to work to keep essential services moving,” Go North East said.
“These services may be subject to delay due to reduced frequencies in operation - please be kind to our team who are providing them.”
The operator says it is “committed to reaching a solution” that will bring an end to the industrial action, but local authorities have warned of the impact it is having on people’s livelihoods.
Cathy Knight, Durham County Council’s Integrated Passenger Transport Manager, said: “We are concerned about the impact the absence of bus services is having on the lives of people in our communities.
“Go North East has introduced skeleton services to restore as much coverage as possible with the resources available and engaged with us as part of its planning of the skeleton network. We appreciate that services can only be restored in full if there is a full resolution of the industrial dispute.”
The complete list of services operating from Monday 27 November:
Service 20: Sunderland to Durham - every 30 minutes, view timetable here
Service S20: Sacriston to Framwellgate Moor - special timetable, view timetable here
Service 21: Gateshead to Chester-le-Street - every 20 minutes, view timetable here
Service 29: Gateshead to Chester-le-Street - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
Service 60: Sunderland to Seaham - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
Service 65: Seaham to Hetton-le-Hole - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
Service 78: Stanley to Consett - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
Service V5: The Dene to Crookhall - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
Service X1: Peterlee to Gateshead - every 30 minutes, serving all stops between Springwell Village and Gateshead, view timetable here
Service X5: Lanchester to Consett - every 60 minutes, view timetable here
Service X45: Consett to Newcastle - every 60 minutes, serving all stops between Metrocentre and Newcastle, view timetable here
Recommended reading:
- Go North East workers balloted again in bus strikes fury
- 'Run down' County Durham town named in list of seven of UK's ugliest locations
- New County Durham leisure complex will have pools, gym, library and soft play
Grab our digital subscription for just £6 for 6 months. Limited time only!
Service 689: Hexham to Consett - limited service operated by Rural Link, view timetable here
Service 794: Stanley to DWP Tyneview Park - normal service, view timetable here
Service X62: Peterlee to Durham - normal service, view timetable here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here