July 21 2022
Cuts to bus services could result in the closure of multiple bus garages and depots. Currently, bus garages are in areas that are well suited for bus operations and are affordable to run. Bus staff also tend to live locally to the depot they are based, within a 15 minute radius, due to the nature of their shift patterns. The loss of these locations could result in a longer commute for staff and could force them to seek other employment.
Additionally, these locations risk being developed for other purposes, such as housing. If a bus depot needs to be established in the future, these locations will no longer be available.
This will force operators to seek locations that are further out of the city centre, resulting in dead mileage, increased running costs and environmental impacts.