Council-owned Halton bus company collapses into liquidation

Bus company Halton Transport has collapsed, it has been officially confirmed.

The service, which employs 150 staff, is owned by Halton Borough Council.

It is understood that councillors took the decision to put the transport operator into administration at a confidential meeting on Wednesday evening.

However, there was no official notification from the council until midnight on Friday, January 24, when it issued a statement confirming the company had ceased trading and been put into liquidation.

It said this followed the “very difficult decision” by the board of Halton Borough Transport to begin the process to take the company into liquidation following a long period in which it has been facing significant financial problems.

The statement said: “The council is working hard with other transport providers to make sure, as far as possible, that essential services are maintained, and we have been working with schools and colleges to ensure school bus services are secured for Monday.

“The council will make announcements on its website, social media and through media outlets in relation to alternative bus services as they are put in place and become operational.”

It added: “A number of Halton Transport employees have already secured jobs with other bus providers, which will also help these operators meet their service provision requirements.

“We are meeting with those who haven’t yet secured employment to provide advice and information on jobs that are available to them.”

Confusion following the Wednesday night meeting led to some bus drivers failing to report for work on Thursday and Friday, disrupting many services, leaving commuters, school children and students stranded.

A ‘final staff notice’ was posted at the company’s depot, signed by operations director, Brian Stevenson, reading: “Will all staff please submit your final timesheet for this week please.

“On a personal note I would like to thank each and everyone of you for all your commitments to myself and the company since I have been in my present position.

“Good luck to you all and your families in these trying times.”

Bus company Arriva North West said Halton Transport had ceased trading and announced that it would run some of the former Halton Transport routes from today, January 25. These include the 6, 14A, 17, 61, 62, 200 and 201 services.

A statement on the company website said: “Arriva will be introducing these services following the recent announcement by Halton Transport to cease trading. For the next two weeks all valid Halton tickets will be accepted on all Arriva services in Halton and throughout the wider Merseyside area.”

Halton Council had to bail the transport business out with a £750,000 loan after it racked up losses of more than £600,000.

The company accounts, filed at Companies House, blamed rising insurance costs and delays to works on the Silver Jubilee Bridge for its financial situation.

Unite the Union described the events as “a very sad state of affairs”.

The union, which represents the majority of the workforce at the arms-length company of Halton council, pledged to give maximum support to its members “during this difficult time for them and their families”.

Unite regional officer John Boughton said: “This is a very sad state of affairs, but not unexpected as this has been on the cards for some time.

“It was one of last remaining bus companies in the country that were municipally-owned.

“The worsening financial situation was exacerbated by delays to the works on the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

“Other bus operators will be taking over services in the Runcorn and Widnes areas and we understand that they are actively recruiting drivers previously employed by Halton Transport.

“Unite will continue to do everything it can to support its members during this stressful time.”