The people will simply not stand for it! They shall revolt! They shall make themselves heard on social media and any other channel of communication available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is what happened around this time last year when it was hinted that the much-loved festive bus would be calling it a day for reasons that were a bit mysterious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyhow, this year, Keolis Downer has got on the front foot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Tis the season to be merry, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Newcastle Transport with the famous Christmas bus returning to the network on December 1,” a press release that dropped in our inbox declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement added that it was “hard not to find your Christmas spirit with over 1000 baubles, 100 metres of garland, 1200 lights and carols playing inside the bus, making catching the bus extra special”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extra special. Now that is what the people want to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Legendary Christmas Bus driver Marg Parnell, of course, got a mention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marg has been the driving force behind the Christmas bus tradition, which has been part of the fabric of Newcastle for 22 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I just love to see the smiles on everyone’s faces when they step on board, whether they are young or old,” Marg said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s a happy time of the year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keolis Downer Hunter general manager Mark Dunlop said decorations had also been done for the light rail, bus and ferry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The whole team has been involved with the preparations this year, with all hands on deck to bring our special holiday vision to life,” Mark said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trams have been renamed as Santa’s reindeers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n