The Number 17 bus service offers a lifeline service for many across Stockton South. Many residents in Stockton Town Centre, Thornaby, Ingleby Barwick, Eaglescliffe and Yarm will be aware of the important role of this bus service in helping youngsters get to school, adults get to work and hooking elderly people up with health services amongst other things.
However, Arriva is planning to significantly reduce the line’s operating hours and route, with the proposed changes below:
- The service 17 will be stopped at Ingleby Barwick twice an hour and no longer extend to Yarm and Kingsmead.
- The X17 will be replaced by the service 17.
- The service will now end around 9pm or 7.30pm on Sundays. Evening and Sunday journeys will be fully withdrawn.
The government and combined authority have done plenty over the last 3 years to ensure support for bus services and operators in our region, including:
- £2 bus fare cap - benefitting local economies, supporting jobs, and helping passengers with the cost of living.
- Over 3 years’ worth of support totalling over £2 billion to help the sector recover from the pandemic
- Over £1.5m for Teesside in additional support funding for 2023/24 alone
Both Stagecoach and Go North East have signed up to a new funding subsidy and maintained all their services but Arriva has objected and is cherry-picking the most profitable routes, putting profit before people and leaving vulnerable people without access to this important bus service.
Please sign the petition below and add your voice to my campaign to save our Number 17 bus service.