Cold pensioners wait for 'buses that never arrive'
Liz HobsonPassengers have described their frustration at waiting hours in freezing temperatures for "phantom buses" which never arrive.
Liz Hobson, 71, relies upon the Arriva bus service at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to get to other areas of Northumberland and said she was regularly "waiting in vain" with fellow pensioners.
Meanwhile, the local MP has raised the issue of the bus company's app which shows vehicles approaching that then do not arrive.
An Arriva spokesperson said recent disruption was linked to congestion in Newcastle and vehicle availability, but said they have brought "spare vehicles into the area to help improve resilience". They did not respond to questions about the accuracy of the app.
Hobson, who has lived in the town for two years, said she let her car go when she retired as her pension did not cover the running expenses.
"Back in Lancashire, it was very rare for a bus to be cancelled or be late and I assumed it would be the same here," she said.
"I wait with shivering pensioners for buses that never come, despite showing on the Arriva app until the last minute."
She said schoolchildren were also affected with reports that some had faced detentions for being late because their buses do not arrive on time.
'No alternative'
Gwen Woodman, Mayor of Newbiggin, said the X21 service through the town is a "lifeline" but cancellations on the route are regular.
She said: "Residents rely on this service to reach essential services in Morpeth, particularly for work, college, school, medical appointments and onward travel once they reach Morpeth or Ashington.
"For those without access to a car – including older residents, people with disabilities and those on low incomes – there is no alternative way to travel in or out of Newbiggin."
The mayor said a reliable bus service was not a luxury but an "essential" for the town.
Labour MP for Blyth and Ashington Ian Lavery reported "varied complaints" from constituents about the bus service and said: "This unacceptable situation cannot continue.
"People arrange their daily lives around the scheduled timings of public transport.
"The fact that Arriva buses are not only not turning up on time but the app which people rely on is totally inaccurate quite frankly beggars belief."
An Arriva spokesperson said the firm was aware of concerns about the reliability of the X21 and understood the frustration it causes.
They said: "Lately, disruption in the Ashington and Newbiggin area has been linked to congestion impact suffered by Service X21 within the Newcastle area and, more recently, vehicle availability with more buses than usual requiring repairs and parts taking longer to source.
"Revised timetables for the X21 are currently being developed to improve punctuality and we remain committed to delivering a more reliable service for customers."
The firm also said it is investing in new buses.
