Sinfin: Passengers concern over cleaning of bus service

The number 38 bus runs from Derby city centre to Sinfin

Passengers have expressed their concern over the cleaning of a bus service in Derby.

Some have criticised the interior of buses on the 38 service to Sinfin, run by bus company Arriva, on social media.

But the firm said the buses are cleaned daily and the cleaning regime is robust, but added that vandalism is a problem.

BBC Derby spoke to passengers on the bus route and some said they "don't believe buses are cleaned each day".

Graffiti left on the back of the seats of the bus

Among them was Catherine Barnes, 79, who uses the service every day.

She said: "I want to see what other companies do, when someone goes on the bus [to clean it] before you get on.

"Then you know you're getting on a clean bus."

When asked if she thinks the buses are cleaned daily, she replied: "No, I've seen certain things that are left for days."

Crumbs and pen marks left on the seats

A passenger in his 70s said he "doesn't understand" why the buses cannot be cleaned between driver changes at Derby Bus Station.

Kathleen Woodward, 45 said: "The same trash lays on the floors for weeks, you can find tickets from days past just lying there.

"I know of no other service in Derby which treats its area with such contempt.

"If something is not treated well, people will not feel the need to treat it well either."

The floors underneath the seats of the number 38 bus

A spokesperson for Arriva Midlands said: "Each night, when buses return to the depot, they are swept, mopped and cleaned.

"The cleaning regime we have is robust and some of these issues are caused on the day of operation of the service.

"Sadly, some people who travel on our buses, vandalise them with graffiti, which is almost impossible to remove, even with rigorous cleaning.

"We should not have to tell people that we don't want them to vandalise our buses or leave behind litter, but unfortunately we do.

"We are grateful to customers who flag up any problems they see and we will act on their feedback."