Bus users have hit out at plans to axe a number of North East buses which they feel could have a "devastating" impact on communities.
Arriva has said the potential closure and shortening of six routes across Tyneside is a "last resort" due to dwindling passenger numbers and operational constraints. The Arriva services facing potential withdrawal include:
- 51 Newcastle - Holystone - Whitley Bay
- 52 Newcastle - Killingworth - Cramlington
- 53 North Shields - Killingworth - Cramlington
- 54 Newcastle - Killingworth - Whitley Bay
- 55 Newcastle - Forest Hall (Meadway)
- 553 (Arriva propose to discontinue the Freeman Hospital to Battle Hill section of the route)
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Residents have now told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that losing these major bus routes would be a "nightmare" for many locals.
Edna Burgon, 72, of South Wellfield said: "If this bus [51] is taken off, there will be nothing through Shiremoor, South Wellfield, and Beaumont Park. The only thing that would be left would be the Metro which not everybody is able to get, like older people.
"It will be a disaster. I understand it is run as a business and it has to be payable but when there is no other alternative what are you going to do."
Robert Cornforth, 80, of Whitley Bay, said: "There are a lot of people in Earsdon Village for whom this bus [51] is the only one that goes through the village to Newcastle and Whitley Bay. It would hit them pretty hard. It would be the wrong thing to take it off".
Wallsend resident Robert Frank, 75, said: "I use it [51] every day. It's the only bus that goes to Newcastle where I live.
"It would be horrendous if they took it off, I've had a double hip replacement. I can walk but with difficulty."
Lynn Butler, 55, who lives near the Freeman Hospital, added: "It would be devastating. A lot of people use this bus [52] to get to the Freeman Hospital. For people going to the hospital, it would be a nightmare and more people bringing their cars into town."
North Tyneside Council and Nexus are now working to find a solution to preserve the affected services. The proposals have sparked petitions from the North East Public Transport Users Group as well as the local Labour Group in a bid to save the bus services.
Arriva has confirmed "no final decisions" have been made on the future of the routes.
An Arriva spokesman said: "The proposed changes are a last resort following extensive efforts to find a sustainable way forward. Unfortunately, due to a combination of operational constraints, as well as the challenges posed by reduced customer numbers following the pandemic, Arriva have been unable to find an alternative viable option."
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