The amount of Council Tax being paid in the town of Shildon is
now extortionate and now with fewer bus routes . The elderly , non
drivers and people with disabilities now have to walk much , much
further to their bus stops .
There are no buses currently running in Auckland Terrace, Adelaide
Bank, and Byerley road. We need these bus services returned .
Too many people rely on them .
This ePetition ran from 15/02/2024 to 28/03/2024 and has now finished.
48 people signed this ePetition.
Within this area, Arriva services 1 and 5 are operated commercially during the daytime without any subsidy from the local authority, we do provide subsidy for trips that operate on an evening. Arriva can set routes, fares and timetables as it sees fit, although in registering a change the information becomes public and can be shared with and commented on by stakeholders.
Arriva implemented commercial changes to withdraw service X1 in July 2023 to improve cost efficiencies within the business as the former network was unsustainable in its form. In aim to mitigate impacts to customers in Shildon, the commercial service 1 was re-routed to serve West Road thus to maintain a link to Tindale Crescent for access to local shops and amenities.
Unfortunately, the withdrawal of the X1 and re-route to service 1 did result in a loss of service provision along Auckland Terrace, Adelaide Bank, and Byerley Road. Durham County Council appreciate that the impact of a longer walk to access alternative services for some customers. Durham County Council investigated the potential for replacement service provision but was not successfully implemented due to a combination of both operator resource and budget pressures.
The Durham County Council Access Bus as part of Integrated Passenger Transport also provides a timetabled bus service to popular shopping and leisure destinations for people who have difficulty getting about. The service covers towns and villages across the county including Shildon. All vehicles are fully accessible for people who are disabled or have mobility problems. More information is available on Durham County Councils website https://www.durham.gov.uk/accessbus