Arriva has responded to a concerned passenger’s concerns about the safety of one of its peak-hour services.
The X60 service, which runs between Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and also Buckingham, is especially crowded before and after school.
A concerned passenger recently counted 20 children standing on a single-deck bus.
The problem is said to be especially prevalent before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. at schools.
However, the transport company has responded, stating that its vehicles are designed and licenced to transport standing passengers.
An Arriva bus had to be evacuated on a recent journey due to a suspected suspension collapse.
A local resident said: “Had this vehicle’s structural failure happened at the generally maximum speed drivers are forced to achieve on this long demanding rural route, the driver could have lost control with disastrous consequences inside and outside the bus.”
During the day, the X60 transports customers between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury via Buckingham once every hour.
On weekdays, the service runs until just after 8 p.m., but not on Sundays.
Other popular stops along the route include Stony Stratford, Padbury, and Whitchurch.
This service is popular with students during the school day because it stops near a number of prestigious schools in Buckingham, Milton Keynes, and Winslow.
While Arriva stated that its buses are designed to allow some passengers to stand, the bus company stated that during peak times, it would consider sending double decker buses on the route.
“This high risk system of travel is normal on our school buses,” the concerned resident added. Children are treated as commodities both inside and outside.”
“It is important to note that our buses are designed and licenced to transport standing passengers” said an Arriva spokesperson.
“We are looking into how double-decker buses might be made available in the future.”
Source:Bucksherald
