04/04/2013, 16:37
04/04/2013, 16:39
Official announcement from TfGM in full:
Michael Renshaw, TfGM’s Bus & Rail Director, said: “We have been advised that Maytree Travel have this afternoon suspended all their services, including more than 40 bus services they are contracted to run on our behalf.
“Manchester Community Transport, which owns Maytree, had actively been working over the past few days to address the issues that have led to this situation, but it’s now clear they are insurmountable.
“This is now affecting the level of service being provided this afternoon and into the evening and, unfortunately, passengers should not now expect any Maytree services to run tomorrow or over the weekend.
“We have already issued several tender documents to secure emergency contracts to ensure these services return in the immediate future and we will be assessing bids today to get agreements in place as soon as possible.
“The process involved – which is not just about paperwork, but also about alternative operators securing drivers and vehicles to be able to provide these services at short notice – takes time.
“Unfortunately, the circumstances mean some or all of the services affected may not now be back on the road until early next week and passengers are advised to check our website and Twitter feed or call Traveline for updates on the situation before travelling.
“It is deeply regrettable that passengers have been put in this position. The services in question provide essential links for communities in Bolton, Wigan and neighbouring areas and our focus is on doing everything we can to support passengers through this situation.”
TfGM is also working to ensure any school services affected by today’s announcement are addressed as a priority, and information will be provided to schools directly.
Maytree service numbers affected: Daytime services 31, 95, 96, 495, 512/3, 516, 525, 526, 527, 544, 551, 553, 559, 570, 597, 680, and 714. Evening services 507, 510, 519, 534, 536, 538/9, 561/2, 571/2, 575/6, 583, 584, 597, 612, 622, 715 and Sunday services 273, 534, 538/9, 576, 583, 584, 597, 622 and 715.
Michael Renshaw, TfGM’s Bus & Rail Director, said: “We have been advised that Maytree Travel have this afternoon suspended all their services, including more than 40 bus services they are contracted to run on our behalf.
“Manchester Community Transport, which owns Maytree, had actively been working over the past few days to address the issues that have led to this situation, but it’s now clear they are insurmountable.
“This is now affecting the level of service being provided this afternoon and into the evening and, unfortunately, passengers should not now expect any Maytree services to run tomorrow or over the weekend.
“We have already issued several tender documents to secure emergency contracts to ensure these services return in the immediate future and we will be assessing bids today to get agreements in place as soon as possible.
“The process involved – which is not just about paperwork, but also about alternative operators securing drivers and vehicles to be able to provide these services at short notice – takes time.
“Unfortunately, the circumstances mean some or all of the services affected may not now be back on the road until early next week and passengers are advised to check our website and Twitter feed or call Traveline for updates on the situation before travelling.
“It is deeply regrettable that passengers have been put in this position. The services in question provide essential links for communities in Bolton, Wigan and neighbouring areas and our focus is on doing everything we can to support passengers through this situation.”
TfGM is also working to ensure any school services affected by today’s announcement are addressed as a priority, and information will be provided to schools directly.
Maytree service numbers affected: Daytime services 31, 95, 96, 495, 512/3, 516, 525, 526, 527, 544, 551, 553, 559, 570, 597, 680, and 714. Evening services 507, 510, 519, 534, 536, 538/9, 561/2, 571/2, 575/6, 583, 584, 597, 612, 622, 715 and Sunday services 273, 534, 538/9, 576, 583, 584, 597, 622 and 715.
04/04/2013, 20:02
Sad to hear of the demise of Maytree, thought they did well for themselves after breaking away from Tyrer Bus and built up a number of services in the Bolton area. The news of Maytree was mentioned on BBC North West this evening, mentioning the takeover by MCT and how the vandalism of buses during evenings last year may have had an effect.
Does show how hard it has been for independent bus companies over the last few years. Vale of Manchester, Bu-Val, The Coachmasters, Speedwellbus all going out of business, plus Bluebird being bought by Stagecoach.
One question which will get answered over the next few days is what happens to Maytree's services. Not sure where MCT would stand in stepping with replacement services. First, Arriva and SLT are the likely three operators to step in to replace services, given that some of the contracts are evening and/or Sunday journeys of services operated by them. Wouldn't be surprise to see Rossendalebus looking to re-gain the 273 and there is a timetable variation on VOSA today from Arriva on the 715 service, which may suggest they may operate the evening/Sunday service.
Could also see Stagecoach (Wigan or Chorley depots) stepping in on emergency tenders, while JPT may look at some services like the 31 (which they previously ran) and the 96.
Does show how hard it has been for independent bus companies over the last few years. Vale of Manchester, Bu-Val, The Coachmasters, Speedwellbus all going out of business, plus Bluebird being bought by Stagecoach.
One question which will get answered over the next few days is what happens to Maytree's services. Not sure where MCT would stand in stepping with replacement services. First, Arriva and SLT are the likely three operators to step in to replace services, given that some of the contracts are evening and/or Sunday journeys of services operated by them. Wouldn't be surprise to see Rossendalebus looking to re-gain the 273 and there is a timetable variation on VOSA today from Arriva on the 715 service, which may suggest they may operate the evening/Sunday service.
Could also see Stagecoach (Wigan or Chorley depots) stepping in on emergency tenders, while JPT may look at some services like the 31 (which they previously ran) and the 96.
04/04/2013, 20:17
It is very sad to see the lost of Maytree from the streets of Bolton. It as been reported (not yet confirmed) that Arriva has agreed to take on some of the services, I hope that they take on some of the drivers to run these services.
04/04/2013, 21:36
According to the late BBC North West Tonight report, TfGM say it is likely that replacement operators won't be in place until Monday, in order to give operators time to get vehicles and drivers in place to run the services.
04/04/2013, 21:55
(04/04/2013 21:36)SF07 Wrote: [ -> ]According to the late BBC North West Tonight report, TfGM say it is likely that replacement operators won't be in place until Monday, in order to give operators time to get vehicles and drivers in place to run the services.
First at Bolton have made ready some of the stored ex PMT Scanias presumably to take on some of the emergency tenders.
04/04/2013, 21:56
BBC News website mentions the problem of Maytree unable to insure buses and that the takeover by MCT had fallen through as mentioned earlier on here. Therefore, Maytree decided there was "no point in continuing to run services because no-one is going to get paid"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-man...r-22033026
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-man...r-22033026
04/04/2013, 22:28
(04/04/2013 21:56)SF07 Wrote: [ -> ]BBC News website mentions the problem of Maytree unable to insure buses and that the takeover by MCT had fallen through as mentioned earlier on here. Therefore, Maytree decided there was "no point in continuing to run services because no-one is going to get paid"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-man...r-22033026
There seems to be a lot of uncertainty over whether the takeover by MCT took place or not. Several Maytree drivers claim it was MCT that pulled the plug today calling all drivers in mid afternoon.
Apparently drivers were offered £50 cash to drive buses back to their owners - presumably Mistral.
04/04/2013, 22:53
I would have just abandoned the buses around Bolton - The staff at Jewson did the same when they were screwed over like this - I am curious if MCT did takeover though, if they did im suprised it has died, if not then... maybe that is why they didn't buy it 
- I dunno - I'm awaiting a statement from MCT
- I dunno - I'm awaiting a statement from MCT04/04/2013, 23:02
My issue is - MCT announced the takeover http://www.manct.org/maytree-travel-join...ct-family/ a month ago - so... **** knows whats going on - we do need a statement from MCT themselves.