'Unprecedented levels' of sickness has led to a raft of Isle of Wight bus services being cancelled over the next week.
Southern Vectis is introducing temporary changes to its services across the Isle of Wight, from tomorrow (Saturday).
It follows a surge on the Isle of Wight in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19.
Southern Vectis general manager, Richard Tyldsley, said:
“Like many businesses, we have been affected by a sudden and significant increase in absenteeism because a high number of our team have Covid.
“Although it is not a legal requirement to self isolate, advice from government is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people - and we are doing so for the safety of our colleagues and customers.
“Fortunately, we have not seen any colleagues become seriously unwell, but their absence is having a highly detrimental effect on our ability to operate all our journeys.
“We do keep a generous number of additional drivers to cover any sickness/absence, but current levels are unprecedented. We fully appreciate the inconvenience for our customers when they go to catch a bus and it fails to arrive, so we are adjusting some of our services."
From Monday (21) until Friday (25) inclusive, the bus operator will be cancelling a number of specific journeys on routes 1, 9 and 5.
Richard added:
“There will also be a reduced service running on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March and we urge customers to check their journey using our web/app journey planner or real time departures before travelling on these days.
“We are looking at our more frequent routes and are avoiding cancelling journeys in the early morning and evening. Our hope is that drivers will return towards the end of next week, and we will return to operating all journeys as soon as possible.
“The best way to check whether your bus is running or not is to use the journeys planner or real time departure features on our web or app.”
For more detailed timetable information, please visit islandbuses.info
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