The sudden closure of Maytree Travel bus company has been attributed to crippling insurance costs and the collapse of a last-minute rescue deal.
Customers were left unable to travel on Thursday afternoon (April 4th), when drivers were called to the firm’s depot and told Maytree Travel had gone into administration due to financial struggles.
However, managers at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have been working alongside other bus organisations in the region to get many of the routes – including school services – up and running once again.
More than 40 bus services were impacted, including some that were contracted to run in Bolton, Salford, Wigan and Bury.
Maytree Travel was acquired by Manchester Community Transport on February 28th, but has been unable to get insurance for the fleet and only third-party coverage was offered as a result of Maytree’s claims history.
Despite the fact a potential buyer had been in place, it pulled out at the 11th hour without giving an explanation.
TfGM’s communications and customer services director Susan Wildman said the company’s first concern has been getting as many bus services as possible back on the road for passengers.