Carousel Buses is offering an increased driver welcome bonus of £4,000 as it looks to expand its business in High Wycombe following announcement by Arriva of plans to close depots in that town and Aylesbury.
The Go-Ahead Group subsidiary and sister business Oxford Bus Company wasted no time in signalling that they would provide a service on most Arriva routes that are under threat, although Arriva will maintain supported journeys on the services in question for the duration of the respective contract term.
If closure of the two depots goes ahead it will not occur before 27 July. However, Carousel will hold what it terms a “fast-track recruitment day to fill additional vacancies” on 2 June.
That event is not limited to current Arriva staff, but Carousel Buses says that in addition to drivers, it is looking to recruit engineers and supervisors at the same time. Interviews and medical checks will be undertaken on the day, with a complementary shuttle bus provided from and to High Wycombe.
Speaking about the fast-track recruitment day, Carousel Buses Managing Director Luke Marion says: “We appreciate that a lot of staff at Arriva will be impacted by this sad news, and we would like to provide reassurance that there are opportunities available. Carousel Buses is a great and rewarding place to work, and we offer an excellent package.”
Mr Marion adds that users of the under-threat Arriva routes “need not be concerned,” and that teams at both Go-Ahead businesses “will be working hard over the coming months to plan the new services.”
Under early details announced by the Go-Ahead companies, Carousel will provide the bulk of replacements for Arriva provision, with Oxford Bus Company to commence route 280 between its home city and Thame via Headington and Wheatley from 1 July.
Plans to take on former Arriva services follow previous work by fellow Go-Ahead subsidiary Go South Coast in 2022 and 2023. It first moved quickly following the collapse of Bournemouth operator Yellow Buses, and later reacted similarly after withdrawal of the city network operated by First Bus in Southampton.
