An ongoing shortage of drivers means that Lincolnshire bus operator Brylaine will continue the suspension of its commercial Saturday services for a further four months until 31 July.
The Boston-based firm had previously hoped to reintroduce Saturday services in early April after they had been subjected to a three-month suspension starting at the beginning of 2022.
Driver resource previously used to operate Saturday journeys was redeployed to weekday duties “to ensure consistency and confidence” for customers travelling at those times “without the fear of them being dropped on an ad-hoc, daily basis,” says Managing Director Marrianne Garbutt.
Ms Garbutt adds that in the ten weeks since Saturday services were temporarily halted, Brylaine has endeavoured to employ additional drivers but “we have unfortunately been unable to recruit to the levels that enable the reinstatement of weekend bus services.”
Lincolnshire County Council will continue to support alternative bus services that deliver reduced timetables until the end of July.
“We fully understand the impact of restricted weekend bus services across the districts of Boston, Lincoln, South Holland and East Lindsey,” adds Ms Garbutt. “We hope to be able to advise passengers of any changes over the following months.”
