Stagecoach in South Wales show their appreciation for the NHS and key workers on bus

Bus company Stagecoach in South Wales has been inspired by the thousands of people clapping for the NHS every Thursday at 8pm. The company has decided to commend the hard work that the frontline staff and key workers are doing all over the UK by showcasing a number of messages on the front of their buses.

The ‘not in service’ message that displays on bus screens will now be replaced with the following:

· Save lives

· Stay at home

· Only travel if your journey is essential

· Thank you key workers

· Thank you NHS

In addition, NHS staff can travel for free on all Stagecoach in South Wales services*. For full details, please see the link below https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-wales/free-travel-for-nhs-staff-across-south-wales

Stagecoach has been revising its timetables to cater for the reduced demand in travel following the government’s advice to stay home and avoid non-essential travel. The timetables have been developed to continue supporting key workers on their journeys to and from work. In addition, Stagecoach has set up an online form to encourage feedback from key workers over any changes they would like to see.

Nigel Winter, Managing Director of Stagecoach in South Wales said: “We must applaud the NHS and carers to recognise the efforts of these workers fighting the pandemic every day. In addition, I am very proud of all of the Stagecoach staff and want to thank them for their hard work and keeping key workers on the move at this difficult time.”

Stagecoach is strictly following government and public health guidelines, including those from the World Health Organisation, to keep its employees and customers safe. A number of extra measures have been put in place including:

· Supplied bottles of personal hand sanitiser to employees with larger refill bottles at depots.

· Ensuring that buses are fitted with security screens which have been adapted to provide a barrier to help prevent transmission of the virus.

· Launched an enhanced cleaning regime of buses and workplaces, which is being strictly adhered to and includes extensive cleaning of the key touch-points such as the ticket machines, hand poles, and cash tray.

· Asked passengers to pay by contactless wherever possible, or have the correct change for their journey if they can. Alternatively payments can be made online or via the App.

· Carried out extensive customer communications asking people only to travel if necessary, and to practice social distancing by using a single row per person if necessary, avoiding the two rows directly behind the driver and keeping a safe distance between the driver and other passengers.

For more information about Stagecoach or to check the latest timetables, including services over the Easter weekend, please visit https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-wales/urgent-service-changes-covid19-2020