First Bus announced that it will run a record number of services this Boxing Day.
Responding directly to people’s changing habits and the increased demand for travel on 26 December, around 1,000 buses and some 1600 staff will operate local services across Britain on Boxing Day. First expects to carry in the region of 250,000 passengers.
“With every passing year we operate more and more services on Boxing Day,” said Giles Fearnley, managing director of First Bus. “Whilst historically we have operated services on 26 December principally with support from local authorities, this year we will see a record 55 percent of Boxing Day services being run entirely at our commercial risk.”
He continued, “We are responding to the needs of our passengers. Customers are telling us that they want to get out and about on Boxing Day to take advantage of the sales, take in a sporting event or visit friends and family. Retailers and Local Authority partners are telling us that running buses on Boxing Day helps support local economies.
“I’m delighted to confirm therefore that we’ll be running services in the majority of the major towns and cities that we operate in, including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Bristol, Portsmouth, Southampton and Swansea.”
Giles Fearnley also paid tribute to colleagues who have volunteered to give up their holidays in order to help customers get around this Christmas. “Of course it’s not just our drivers who will sacrifice their Boxing Day, they will be supported by engineers, mechanics, controllers and other support staff. In total around 1600 First Bus staff will be transporting an estimated 250,000 customers on Boxing Day. I’m very fortunate to lead a company that has such a fantastic and committed workforce.”