Choice between two bus routes branded 'unfair'

Arriva says it is making a "genuine" attempt to gather local views

Passengers say they have been given an "unfair" choice between two bus routes.

In July 2023, Arriva cut a County Durham bus service that gave people in Peterlee, Fishburn and other nearby areas direct links to Darlington and Newton Aycliffe due to "funding reductions".

Now the firm is asking people whether they want the route reinstated, but at the expense of a service that currently goes to Stockton and North Tees Hospital.

Sedgefield resident Mavis Maloney said having to choose between the two routes was "just not right". Arriva said it was making a "genuine" attempt to gather local views.

Ms Maloney, who does not drive, said she stopped going to her aqua aerobics classes in Newton Aycliffe when Arriva cut the X21 bus route.

She also said she had stopped going to Darlington for theatre shows due to the cuts.

She said she wanted the X21 back but not at the expense of the current X22 route heading to North Tees Hospital, which she said was "very, very important".

She said she did not agree with the terms of the consultation and of the choice being offered, saying: "It's just not right."

John Irvine said the consultation pitted residents against each other

Fishburn resident John Irvine said it was "ridiculous" villagers needed to take multiple buses to get to Darlington, Durham or Hartlepool.

He said he wanted to reinstate the old X21 service but said it would be unfair if it meant the loss of the current route to Stockton and North Tees Hospital.

He said many of the residents of Fishburn were older and did not drive.

For them, North Tees Hospital was their closest and they deserved easy access, he said.

"By voting for it [to bring back the X21 service], we're then doing another group out of what they want," he said. "It isn't a fair choice."

'More detailed feedback'

Mr Irvine also attacked the online survey put out by Arriva as part of its consultation.

He said it simply consisted of tick-boxes and did not give residents space to make comments.

"Which one do you want – that's the choice, that's the consultation," he said.

Arriva said it was not inviting open comments at this stage as it was not required for the information it was currently seeking.

"This may change in the future and if so, we will invite more detailed feedback at that time," a spokesperson said.

They also added that customers could always send feedback via its customer services team.