Go-Ahead buses keep people moving through floods and bad weather
Throughout the recent storms across the south of the UK Go-Ahead Group operating companies have been providing additional buses and replacement services allowing customers to travel.
Go-Ahead bus companies have been working closely together with train companies whose services have been affected to enable passengers to make their journeys despite the damage caused to railway lines by the adverse weather.
Local authorities have also called on Go-Ahead bus companies to support evacuation efforts when homes and institutions have been flooded.
Go South Coast’s coaches helped out in the Isle of Wight, Bournemouth and Salisbury and also provided support in Devon - a county severely affected by flooding and landslips. Several drivers from the company have been living away from home in order to operate rail replacement coaches.
Go-Ahead London provided emergency replacement services for train companies in Sussex and Kent, after landslides blocked tracks, as well as providing double deckers to ensure youngsters could get to school.
Brighton Hove has regularly been supplying buses at short notice to help with emergencies since the heavy rainfall and stormy weather began in December.
Metrobus has also been running buses replacing trains and rescued stranded passengers in the early hours of the morning after a train struck a landslip at Hooley. They also supported the evacuation of a special needs centre in Purley.
Staff at Oxford Bus Company have been working relentlessly to keep running a full service despite the unprecedented rainfall and flooding in the area. Employees have also been working additional hours to provide rail commuters with an alternative to the badly affected Oxford to Paddington railway route.
Buses and drivers from sister companies came to the rescue to support Plymouth CityBus and help provide rail replacement services after railway tracks were washed away by sea storms at Dawlish.
Go-Ahead Group chief executive director, David Brown said:
“I’m proud of how our bus companies have responded in very challenging circumstances. Our staff have been working around the clock to keep people moving. Some drivers have been living away from home in order to provide vital services for commuters and travellers. We’ve worked in partnership with local authorities and community groups to help provide the transport support needed during the floods and bad weather.”
