NEWS FEED
Yellow Buses (YB) has diverted its 1a service in Somerford after a brick smashed a window on a single-decker bus in broad daylight.
The decision affects daytime and evening services and took effect from 6pm on 14 June.
Evening services in Somerford were suspended on 6 April after four separate incidents involving missiles being thrown at buses.
They were reinstated on 12 May after Yellow Buses said it was satisfied with actions taken by the police and local authorities.
However there have since been two further incidents, the latest being the brick through the window on 14 June, at 10am.
No-one was injured in the attack at the junction of Somerford Road and Dennistoun Avenue but Yellow Buses said it was “only a question of time” before someone was seriously injured.
Andrew Smith, managing director, said: “Withdrawing services is the absolute last resort but we are not prepared to put the lives of our customers and our staff at risk.
“I very much regret that innocent customers will suffer as a result of withdrawing both daytime and evening services. However, this latest attack, in broad daylight, is the last straw.
“Our 1a service will remain on permanent diversion indefinitely until we are totally satisfied it is safe to run buses in Somerford again.
“We would urge anybody who knows who is responsible for this latest attack to contact the police immediately.”
As a result of the diversion, the 1a service will use the Christchurch Bypass from Purewell Cross to the Sainsbury’s supermarket at Somerford.
