Coronavirus Updates

4 years ago Mon 4th Jan 2021

GSC Covid updates

Last updated: Monday 18th January 2021

Following the latest announcement of a national lockdown, from Monday 18th January, we have suspended school services for New College (routes 111 & 119), Commonweal School (route 122) and Ridgeway School (routes 151-159).  All information on this can be found here. Our school services have been amended to reflect student numbers.

Details on all our other services can be found here.

As you will already be aware, we have many additional measures in place to ensure we comply with covid regulations, including extra cleaning, hand sanitisers on board and face coverings to be worn by all.

Hopefully you will find everything you need easily, but here is a handy FAQ quide.

If you, as a customer, are displaying signs of coronavirus, we ask that you do not use public transport at this time and follow the advice issued by the NHS.

Cleaning and safety

Face covers - wearing a face covering on-board is compulsory, unless you are exempt on medical grounds by law. Those who are exempt can apply for a Helping Hand card which will assist when challenged by drivers or other customers.

Safety is our number one priority. We are following the advice of the Government and Public Health England and are continually looking at ways to minimise contact and transmission.

Cleaning - bus operators have extensive cleaning regimes that maintain high levels of hygiene for passengers to protect the health and well-being of their customers and employees. These regimes are carefully monitored and reviewed. We are ensuring a greater focus on high-touch areas and increasing activity where necessary.

Seating - we have blocked off certain seats on-board to maintain social distancing and are requesting customers sit in the window seats. To maintain social distancing, we will only accept a certain number of passengers on each bus and some buses may reach a temporary capacity meaning they cannot accept any more customers. We will regularly monitor this to ensure that we try to have the right capacity running at all times. Please observe the on-board guidance regarding where to sit to maintain a good distance between you and other passengers.

Buying tickets -  we are asking customers to pay using contactless, theKey or mobile app to minimise cash handling - however, cash payments are still accepted for those who cannot pay by any other means, due to less change being available we ask that you have the correct fare if you can.

Hand sanitiser dispensers - are provided on all of our buses for customers to use.  We encourage you to use the hand sanitiser upon boarding and exiting the bus.

Our drivers - we have also installed safety screens in our driving cabs to create a protective layer between our drivers and customers, for your safety and their's please do not touch these screens.

NHS Test and Trace

The government have launched the NHS Covid-19 app to aid its test and trace efforts. Our customers are advised to download this app and keep their phone on them whilst travelling to ensure that you are notified if there has been any exposure risks near you whilst you travel.

You can find out more and download the app here.

Ticket acceptance

Concessionary pass restrictions have returned to normal. Concessionary pass holders can travel after 9:30am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays. 

How services are running

To find out how our services our running, please visit our Timetables & Maps page.

Some roadside and website/mobile app live time information may be inaccurate - view our guide on this. We are updating printed roadside publicity at key hub bus stops, but lesser used stops may be incorrect.

This situation will be reviewed regularly, and if we need to make any further changes, we will update you in the normal way.

Customer support

Our Fleming Way travel shop is open. Before planning to make a visit, please take a look at our opening times.

Our customer service team continue to be on hand to assist with any queries you may have, but they are operating to revised hours: Monday to Friday 8:00am until 5:30pm until further notice. We ask that if your query isn't urgent, that you contact us using the online form as our telephone resource is limited.

Thank you!

Once again, we pay thanks to our fantastic colleagues who are still keeping the wheels turning, and to you, our customers, for your support and cooperation in this difficult time.