‘Late, cancelled, and left on our own’: Concerns over cross-city bus service

CONCERNS: From left, city councillors Patrick Wilkinson, Peter North, and Sarah Harper-Riches

By Simon Bristow

Councillors claim passengers’ safety is being put at risk on a Stagecoach bus route in Hull because they are being left on board without a driver for up to 45 minutes.

They also say the service is unreliable and sometimes cancelled at short notice.

Councillors Sarah Harper-Riches and Peter North say passengers have no alternative bus service in their Bricknell ward, and their Labour colleague, Councillor Patrick Wilkinson, says issues with delays and cancellations extend to the other end of the route in his Marfleet constituency.

“People are being left on the bus and it’s a safety issue,” said Councillor Harper-Riches. “Being a disabled person I really struggle massively with that. There’s an issue with people being trapped on board and not being able to access the switch to get off.”

Councillor North, who uses the No 3 service three or four times a week, said: “The most concerning issue is when drivers leave the bus with passengers on board when they stop at the interchange. Stagecoach have told me repeatedly that this flies in the face of company policy, but it still happens during at least half of my journeys in the late afternoon.

“Recently I was left alone on a bus for 45 minutes before I let myself off and spoke to staff at the station.”

Coun Harper-Riches said: “It’s the only bus that serves Bricknell estate and we’ve got people who don’t have access to a car and I would say a higher than average number of people with mobility issues on that estate.

“It interferes with my work and I have to resort to a taxi because I don’t know when there’s going to be another Number Three on the way.”

Coun Harper-Riches, who has chronic fatigue syndrome, says the problems are worse when she is trying to get home. “Coming home it can have such an impact,” she said. “My stress levels go up so I get brain fog so I struggle to arrange getting home by other means.”

All three members of Hull City Council say the issues are being raised with them by residents.

‘IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED’: Councillors Patrick Wilkinson, Peter North, and Sarah Harper-Riches

Councillor North said of the impact in Bricknell ward: “The problems are exaggerated because amenities in that part of the city are very poor. If you want to go to the greengrocers or supermarket you have to go on to Chanterlands Avenue.”

Councillor Wilkinson said: “At the other end in Preston Road there are no signs so you can’t see if it’s cancelled. There are no bus shelters or benches, just bus stops.”

He added: “Hull is the worst city to have a cross-city bus route because most finish up in the centre. It works in Leeds or Reading because they have bus depots and termini at every end, but not in Hull.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Midlands said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a noticeable impact on our bus network and, like many transport operators, we have faced some staffing issues. Unfortunately, this has meant that occasionally services have been cancelled at short notice.

“We apologise for any inconvenience to customers, regarding any changes to services.  It is always a last resort to cancel a bus journey and  our team at Stagecoach in Hull are working really hard to maintain a reliable service. 

“Cross-city services require bus drivers to undertake changeovers within Hull Interchange. During this time customers travelling from one side of the city to another can either choose to remain on the bus or alight to the interchange platform, awaiting the relieving driver.

“All Stagecoach's vehicles are fitted with CCTV for the protection of our customers and staff. For those who wish to alight, they should remain at the front of the bus queue on the platform and will be required to present their valid ticket whilst re-boarding the service."

In a separate issue, passengers on other routes have contacted The Hull Story to say they are dismayed by the removal of seats at bus shelters in Princes Avenue. These are thought to have been taken away in attempt to combat antisocial behaviour when they are used by street drinkers and others with addiction issues.

“People with mobility issues are going to struggle waiting for a bus,” one woman said. “I saw an old man doubled over at a bus stop on Princes Avenue the other day trying to get his breath back. He was stood there for ages and should have been able to sit down.”