A BUS company manager has reassured passengers that normal service has been resumed this week following a number of delays.

Passenger Matt Fifield complained on Twitter about delays to services run by Thames Travel around Oxford and across southern Oxfordshire.

Tweeting as @theardentwake he urged his followers last week to tweet Thames Travel managing director Phil Southall if they had any complaints.

His complaints were sparked by the late arrival of the 4.39pm X32 to Oxford on Friday.

Now Phil Southall, managing director of Thames Travel, also managing director of Oxford Bus Company has reassured passengers that they have no need to worry, following ‘a very bad couple of weeks’.

In his response directly to Mr Fifield he said: “There is no ‘mass exodus’ of staff, we have a very committed team delivering a great service. We have simply had a very bad couple of weeks due to absence for which I apologise but back to normal this week.”

Mr Southall later released a statement confirming that services were back on schedule.

He added: “We experienced a shortfall in drivers earlier this month due to an unexpected spell of absences. We drafted in agency cover where possible and our staff did a brilliant job during this brief spell. We’re sorry for any inconvenience but are back to operational strength this week.”

The X32 serves passengers travelling between Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Harwell and Wantage. Another popular service is the River Rapids, X38/X39 and X40.