BUS companies should face the same penalties as train companies if services do not run as advertised, it was said this week.

Passengers in one of the areas worst affected by strikes involving Arriva North-East bus crews earlier this year have now reported serious disruption to services which they understand has been caused by breakdowns and a shortage of drivers.

It has been claimed that the situation in the Richmond and Catterick Garrison areas, where Arriva has a monopoly, makes a mockery of Government attempts to get more people to use public transport.

One passenger who lives outside Richmond and relies on buses to get to and from work in Catterick said that on two nights last week he waited for 30 minutes after his scheduled bus failed to arrive on time. On Monday the wait extended to an hour.

"The government wants more people to use public transport, but it's not going to work if buses run so late or don't turn up at all. No one should have to wait more than ten minutes for a bus. I gather there have been other buses missing at different times throughout the day.

"This service is steadily getting worse. Breakdowns seem to be the main problem, but I gather there was an occasion when they were two drivers down."

It is believed that additional mechanical strain is being placed on lightly built buses by the demands of a diversionary route introduced after the flood-damaged Mercury bridge at Richmond was closed in early June.

Mr Allan Gray, a Transport and General Workers' Union spokesman at Middlesbrough, said: "The rail industry has an ombudsman or regulator, and where trains do not run companies are now facing a hefty fine. Bus operators should face exactly the same penalties.

Mr Mike Barber, commercial manager at Arriva North-East, said he would investigate.