Buses leave 11-year-old Wigan school pupil stranded

A Wigan mum has blasted transport bosses after her son endured a two-hour wait for a bus.
Fiona Singleton, mum of school boy Leyton BlackFiona Singleton, mum of school boy Leyton Black
Fiona Singleton, mum of school boy Leyton Black

Fiona Singleton’s 11-year-old, Leyton Black, was catching one for the first time last Wednesday to go to The Byrchall High in Ashton.

But as he waited at the stop on Lily Lane, Platt Bridge, several Arriva services drove past him without stopping as they were full.

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Arriva said that once capacities are met, they are unable to allow any more passengers to board.

But Ms Singleton said parents had received a letter from the school saying extra services would be laid on. She said other children have also been late due to the problem.

The 33-year-old from Abram said: “It was the first time Leyton had caught the bus and he was waiting for two hours. The buses just kept driving past him as they were full due to social distancing.

“But we had a letter from the school saying that extra bus services would be run. He’s been put off the buses for life. His nan and grandad have had to take him as it’s too far to walk and I can’t drive.

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“So he was late and I know others have been also because of the buses but fortunately the school were understanding with him.”

Fiona said she has contacted Arriva to complain.

She added: “They’re right to have social distancing measures but they were supposed to be running extra services and children have got to get to school.”

An Arriva spokesman said a number of additional buses have been added to Leyton’s 320 route for the “sole use of pupils,” and were numbered S320 and have extra capacity. These extra services are at 7.04am, 7.22am and 2.48pm from Wigan to St Helens and 3.02pm from St Helens to Wigan.

The spokesman added: “To help increase capacity across our services as pupils return to schools and colleges, we are using larger buses than normal on certain services and in some cases we will be running two buses at the same time so that both those travelling to and from school or college and those travelling for any other purpose can do so safely.

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“All our services are Covid-19 Secure, and we are complying with the most recent government guidance on social distancing measures. Once capacities are met, we are unable to allow any more passengers to board.

“Ensuring that school and college children can travel safely is of the utmost importance to us and our drivers take every step possible to never leave a pupil behind. We are monitoring the situation constantly to ensure the extra resources we have out on the roads are going to where they are needed the most.

“Where we have reports that not everyone wishing to travel is able to do so we are looking into implementing changes as quickly as we can. We kindly request that if you are experiencing difficulties you let us know directly at https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/contact-us.”

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