THERE will be major changes to the way people travel on Arriva buses over the next few weeks and months.

Passengers are also being asked to follow a series of steps while travelling as the transport industry takes on board government advice to adapt to the coronavirus crisis.

These included wearing face coverings, if possible.

Arriva has announced a number of changes that customers can expect to see when travelling, with new social distancing measures on all buses with immediate effect.

St Helens Star:

Arriva's poster setting out the new measures

The moves will see Arriva buses have a revised capacity to help keep passengers and bus travel safe.

When these are met, buses will show a “bus full” sign and drivers will only stop to let passengers get off.

Seats within two metres of the driver will also be taped off.

When the ‘Bus Full’ sign is showing, if the bus stops only one passenger will be able to board for every passenger that disembarks.

People are being asked to be prepared to wait and help others by prioritising those who need to travel more urgently.

Wheelchair spaces will still remain available and a no standing policy will also be in place.

Passengers will also be asked to follow a series of steps to help safer travel:

These are:

Pay by contactless or via the Arriva m-ticket app. Passengers should only pay by cash if you have the exact change as drivers cannot issue change

Wear a face covering (unless you are among those advised not to use one) in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not possible. Government guidelines say coverings should not be worn by people with respiratory conditions, children under two,  or children of an age who find it diffuclt to mange them.

  • Carry hand sanitiser with you
  • Keep windows open to help with ventilation
  • Avoid sitting in seats which face each other
  • Sit next to a window and leave a space in front, behind and next to you
  • If you are travelling with someone from your household, please sit next to each other
  • Do not stand or queue in the aisle of the bus or next to the driver
  • Be patient and wait for passengers to get off the bus before you board
  • Keep a two metre distance away from other people at bus stops

Phil Stone, regional managing director for Arriva, said: “The safety of our passengers and colleagues is of the utmost importance to us and in addition to these new measures, we continue to operate in line with previous government advice to ensure bus travel is as safe as possible for those needing to make essential journeys.

"We appreciate some people may be concerned by the new capacity levels and would like to assure you that we want everyone’s journey to be as smooth and as safe as possible.

"We will be closely monitoring and adapting services in line with demand, wherever we can, to help ensure this is the case.

"We have an enhanced cleaning regime in place, ensuring all touch-point surfaces, both on our buses and in our depots, are regularly deep cleaned.

"Our drivers' protective screens have also been enhanced.

"Guidance on social distancing is clearly marked on board our buses with notices advising passengers where to sit.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their continued support and encouragement of our bus workers during this time, it is a pleasure for us to be able to serve our local communities.”