Stagecoach Head of Strategic Development, Nick Small, said that attempts to train bus drivers to alleviate the current shortage kept being stymied as “it seems as fast as we train people, others get Covid”, whilst Doug Claringbold, CEO of FirstBus, reported that a total of 37 drivers were off last week with the illness.

Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, said: “Only 75% of passengers are travelling compared to before the pandemic. It can all cause a vicious circle of decline. But what was hugely positive was that so many people wanted to use the buses and were open to new ideas. It’s clear to create the service local people need and deserve we will need to make some big choices.”