Daytime bus services will increase across the town, as Swindon's Bus Company reports a surge in demand.

The firm says demand is up after coronavirus lockdown rules were relaxed earlier this month, with people encouraged to return to work. 

A number of timetable changes have been announced, including an increase in frequency on the 1 and 1A routes to Great Western Hospital.

Swindon's Bus Company managing director Andrew Wickham said: “We are responding to a rise in demand, by re-introducing a number of services, and increasing the frequency of those we have been running since lockdown began.

“We want to make sure all our drivers and customers are safe on-board our buses, so we have introduced even more stringent cleaning regimes - sanitising our vehicles throughout with anti-viral wipes. We have also taken measures to enable social distancing, by altering the layout of our seating.

“With social distancing measures in place, the number of passengers each vehicle can carry is reduced - but our customers will notice a significant increase in the number of buses running across the town.

“We ask those on-board to wear face coverings if they can, and to avoid using cash - paying by contactless, smartcard or app instead if possible.

“We are delighted to be re-introducing so many of our services here. I would like to thank our customers for their continued support, and my key worker colleagues for their incredible resilience and dedication during these very challenging times.”

Summary of daytime service changes:

1/1A

Monday to Friday - every 15 minutes; Saturday - every 15 minutes Grange Park to town centre (every 30 minutes town centre to hospital)

2

Monday to Saturday - every 30 minutes

5 

Monday to Saturday - every 10 minutes

11

Monday to Saturday - every 30 minutes

12

Monday to Saturday - every 30 minutes

13 and 14 

Monday to Saturday - combined every 15 minutes

15

Monday to Saturday - every 30 minutes

17 

Monday to Saturday - every 10 minutes; Sunday - every 30 minutes

19

Monday to Saturday - every 30 minutes

22

Monday to Saturday - every 30 minutes

21/23/24/25

Monday to Saturday - normal service