Coronavirus in Edinburgh: Hundreds of bus drivers volunteer to keep key routes open

Lothian Buses 'inundated' with offers to keep working

Lothian buses have reduced services owing to the coronavirus

A battalion of brave bus drivers will be deployed to ferry key workers to and from their jobs during the coronavirus crisis, the Evening News can reveal.

Bosses at Lothian Buses asked for volunteers to keep services on key routes to hospitals and supermarkets running.

A source told how by the deadline of midnight on Wednesday they were inundated with around 500 drivers willing to carry on working.

Interim Managing Director Nigel Serafini described the 80 per cent drop-off in passengers due to the coronavirus lockdown as “completely unprecedented”.

“Our teams in every area are working around the clock to deliver critical services for key workers while maintaining the wellbeing of over 2500 colleagues across our business,” he said.

The remaining drivers who choose not to continue working at fullpay are being offered the choice of entering the Government’s furlough scheme which pays up to 80 per cent of wages or using up paid holiday or lieu time. One driver praised Mr Serafini, saying: “It’s a good opportunity to stay at home and do what Ms Sturgeon has asked, make sure our families are safe andstill have a job to go back to,” he said.

“He’s given information to the drivers and thanked everyone, the canteen staff, everyone. It must be hellish but he’s stepped up.”