GOVERNMENT CORONAVIRUS MEASURES CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES

Temporary changes to bus services in Greater Manchester are being introduced by Stagecoach from Monday 23 March following new government advice around social contact and non-essential travel to help combat the coronavirus.

A reduced timetable will operate across the region until further notice. The timetables have been carefully created to ensure that critical routes are maintained wherever possible.

It follows extensive action by bus operators to enhance cleaning regimes and protect the safety and well-being of customers and bus workers.

Separately, the bus and coach industry is also engaging with government to help ensure the long-term future of bus services, which are critical to the economy and local communities, is protected.

Elisabeth Tasker, managing director of Stagecoach Manchester said: “Along with other bus operators and key sectors, we are working hard to support the national effort to tackle the current challenging situation.

"The safety of our customers and our employees is at the heart of everything we do. We also know that our bus services play a vital role in keeping the country running and ensuring key sector personnel get to work.

“Following the latest government advice, we have reviewed our timetables and made temporary changes which reflect the reduced level of travel. Our objective has been to focus resources on where we know they are needed most at this time.

“We are working hard to best maintain essential services, safeguard jobs and ensure the long-term sustainability of a sector which is central to our economy and communities.

“We will continue to monitor the position, liaise closely with government and other authorities, and respond as appropriate to what is a dynamic situation.”

From Monday 23 March we will be operating a special Monday to Friday service. Updated timetables are now available on our website and we are asking customer to check these before they travel. We will continue to provide the school services that we operate for as long as schools remain open.

Since the impact of the coronavirus in the UK, Stagecoach has implemented additional hygiene measures to protect passengers, frontline bus workers and office-based staff.

In addition to well-established and rigorous cleaning regimes, there has been more frequent cleaning of main customer touch-points on buses, such as hand poles and grab rails. All Stagecoach front-line staff have also been provided with personal hand sanitiser and regular reminders are being issued about the importance of personal hygiene.

Customers can stay up to date with all the latest news from Stagecoach on Twitter @StagecoachGM or by signing up to their email mailing list. Full details are available at stagecoachbus.com.