A BUS company has said it is looking at running more late-night services after funding was “decimated” by the pandemic.

Martin Harris, managing director at Brighton and Hove buses said passenger numbers are beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, meaning the company can look at running more night bus services.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition have signed a petition calling for more late-night services to operate in the city to help protect women and girls.

The Argus: Brighton and Hove buses says it is looking into bringing back night servicesBrighton and Hove buses says it is looking into bringing back night services

In a statement, Mr Harris said: "Unlike most cities, the night buses in Brighton were paid for by the daytime services and so were obviously decimated by the pandemic.

“As the effects of the pandemic recedes so are we looking at how we can enable the return of more night bus services.

“We are operating over 90 per cent of our former service mileage and numbers of passenger have grown to 70 per cent of their former levels so far.

“So things are moving in the right direction and, despite the challenges that presents, we have so far already reintroduced four of the night services - the N1, N5, N7 and N25."

Tobias Woods, who launched the petition, said the lack of public transport in the early hours means women will be forced to get taxis home at night instead, adding that the outcry following the murders of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard has reinforced how unsafe women and girls feel walking home at night.

Mr Harris said Brighton and Hove buses has always taken its responsibility for contributing to the safety of women “very seriously” and that he is engaging with the community on how the company can make improvements.

He said: "It is imperative that women and girls feel they are in a safe, welcoming environment when they catch our buses. It is a multi-agency challenge and requires a multi-agency response.

"We have CCTV on every bus and our drivers are there to help if women do feel unsafe, for whatever reason.

“We experimented with a flexibly routed service at night and that is under discussion once again in the new Bus Service Improvement Plans that are being put together across the country, along with other measures that will help address enabling women to feel more confident when travelling home at night.

“We are very open to engaging with local groups within our already strong partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council to better inform how we make improvements.”

To sign or view the petition, visit www.change.org/p/brighton-and-hove-buses-bring-back-the-night-buses

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