Impending bus timetable changes are a threat to jobs and will impact on education, say Labour councillors.
From April 2, Arriva is set to cancel the No23 Sunderland to Hartlepool route and the Nos 57, 57A and 58 will be combined in to one, hourly service, reduced from current levels of a bus every 20 minutes.
The company will also reduce the frequency of services between Durham and Brandon.
Trimdon and Thornley ward Cllrs Jake Miller, Lucy Hovvels MBE and Chris Varty wrote to Durham County Council Cabinet Member for Economy & Enterprise, Cllr Elizabeth Scott, to request a meeting to address the reduction in public transport services.
Cllr Miller said:
“These changes could have a devastating impact on residents. Some already face losing jobs because buses don’t turn up on time, making them late for work, and students are struggling getting to and from college before any cuts are made.
“What will be the impact when three services become one? When a service is scrapped entirely? And when residents are forced to pay for a bus to get them from one village to another, just to catch the new Arriva service? A single bus trip becomes a round trip of four buses – four payments per day! It is not acceptable.
“We have requested a meeting with Cllr Scott to try and get back around the table to come up with a better solution, that delivers for our residents.”
Labour is concerned that the changes will force people to get a bus from Trimdon to the Fir Tree, and then the bus from the Fir Tree onwards.
Cllr Hovvels MBE said:
“Our communities deserve better. They deserve more regular, reliable buses, not less. Arriva’s changes risk isolating people and forcing them to pay more for a worse service, when they’re already struggling in a cost of living crisis.
“Residents will face disruption and possible increased waiting times. Small villages are being once again with hit with a reduction to services. Enough is enough – we need Arriva back at the negotiating table and reconsidering these changes.”
Cllr Stacey Deinali, shadow cabinet portfolio holder for connectivity, said:
“The lack of bus services in rural areas is a huge issue and increases the level of disadvantage for people living in these areas.
“The proposed changes to the 57 and 57a services only exacerbate the impact that poor transport links have on residents in the Trimdon area. The Council must act immediately to prevent these people becoming isolated.”