“Urgent Update” as Arriva implements ‘fire break’ and stops all but five local bus services

There will be no local bus services being provided from the depot in Wrexham by Arriva, aside from five exceptions.

The move has been taken as around 30 drivers have tested positive and 25+ are shielding.

An update earlier today had a move to a limited service, however after a period of confusion a further update has confirmed only five services locally will remain.

The update has come at 7:10pm from Wrexham Council and reads:

We have just spoken to the Arriva Wrexham general manager who has confirmed that the company has agreed to implement a voluntary fire break and suspend operations from Wrexham depot upon buses returning tonight. Therefore with effect from tomorrow Wednesday 13th January 2021, there will be no local bus services being provided from the depot. The exception however is below, which are being operated by Chester depot based buses and drivers.

Service 1 Chester (hourly service)

Service 5 Llangollen (hourly services will also still operate as they are not Wrexham based.

Service 2/2A Oswestry

Service 2C Cefn Mawr

Service X51 Ruthin

I understand the decision has been taken in discussion with Public Health Wales and our own environmental protection staff. The proposed suspension will last around 10-14 days and we will receive confirmation of their intention to restart as the days progress and there is a better understanding around their COVID-19 outbreak, and when they have sufficient returning staff to deliver services.

Despite a local councillor, Cllr Paul Rogers, highlighting the above just after 6pm Arriva themselves continued to publish an ’emergency timetable’ with a range of services. Apparently “The Arriva marketing department has been alerted and asked to start publicising this information through their social media channels this evening.”

Councillor David A Bithell Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council and Lead Member for Transport said “We have been notified tonight of this situation and our thoughts go out to staff affected by COVID and we hope that everybody stays safe and well. We appreciate the difficulty this will cause to those who rely on public transport for work. We will try and notify employers and the general pubic to make them aware of the difficult situation.”

We have had sight of a further update that reads,

In order to assist in any questions that you may receive from your constituents I have summarised Arriva route information below

Service 1 – villages along the Chester Road corridor will have an hourly service

Service 2/2A/2C, Cefn Mawr & Oswestry buses will continue to operate, so this will serve Cefn Mawr, Plas Madoc, Ruabon, and B5605 via Johnstown, Rhostyllen.

Service 3 & 4 Rhos, Ponciau & Penycae – No services

Service 5 Llangollen, Villages on B5605 Rhostyllen, Johnstown main road, Ruabon, Acrefair & Trevor will have hourly service. Also T3 Traws Cymru continues to operate along this route.

Service 7 & 8 Caia Park – No Service

Service 11 Minera village – No Service in Minera. Service X51 will continue to operate along main A525 Bwlchgwyn, Coedpoeth, Southsea.

Service 12/A & 14 – Brymbo, Tanyfron, Brynteg. Lodge – No Service. Southsea & New Broughton can use Service X51

Service 21 Summerhill – no service.

Service 27 Mold No Service – Alternative is M&H Coaches service 29

Service 33 Llay, Bradley – No Service

Service 35 Plas Golbourne – No Service

Service 41A Industrial Estate & Queensway area – No Service

Service X51 via Southsea, Coedpoeth, Bwlchgwyn will continue to operate

Other communities who are served by buses from other operators (Lloyds Coaches, Tanat Valley, Pats Coaches, Wrexham Taxis, Valentine Travel, Stagecoach, M&H Coaches, Llew Jones) remain unaffected.

UPDATE: Arriva have started to update their social media as of 7:18PM

Due to a number of staff being diagnosed with Covid, we have taken the difficult decision alongside the EHO and Public Health Wales to close our #Wrexham Depot. Only special timetables on services 1, 5 & X51 and Arriva Midlands 2, 2A & 2C will operate tomorrow (13/01). pic.twitter.com/Z1RJXLB62i

— Arriva Buses Wales (@arrivabuswales) January 12, 2021

Original update from 6pm below, which has been superseded by the above:

Bus services are further affected following coronavirus affecting a large number of Arriva staff.

Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Environment & Transport Cllr David A Bithell circulated an update late this afternoon noting, “Arriva’s service Ramp Down will come into effect from tomorrow – Wednesday 13th January, and is quite a significant reduction as an immediate response to their driver availability.”

“As of yesterday I was informed that they have around 30 drivers positive and 25+ shielding. As from Wednesday, Service 1 (Chester) & Service 5 (Llangollen) will be operated using buses and drivers from the Hawarden (Mancot) depot.

“I have been informed by Arriva that they intend to undertake a review of services in 2 weeks’ time when they will look to add additional journeys dependent upon their driver availability.”

The summary of changes is detailed below, as always it is worth checking direct with Arriva for their latest information – that site allows a “+” to be tapped for Wales and the local timetable to be loaded. Arriva have not contacted Wrexham.com.

(This update also included a list of the timetables)