End of the road for bus firm

THE BOSS of bus company TJ Walsh says it breaks his heart to have to close the business

The Halifax firm started in 1983 and began running bus services in 1994, but stopped operating on Wednesday.

Managing director Neil Walsh said the coronavirus outbreak had made it impossible for the company to continue.

“The over-bussing and discounting of fares on routes we operate by First group and the cutbacks from government for bus services - we only get 79p per pensioner carried for any distance - has for the last few years has meant that the company has only just been trading and keeping employees in work, but has been unable to build up cash reserves to help in times of crisis,” he said.

“Unfortunately one microscopic virus has now moved the company into a situation that is currently and will be in the future make it impossible to continue running bus services and our contract services.”

Mr Walsh says he intends to approach the supermarket chains to persuade them to employ his staff as home delivery drivers, and will provide references for anyone who requires one.

“This is for me personally a very sad day, a lot of us have been on a journey working together against the might of Firstgroup.

“This has been a difficult industry to be in, and it has been very challenging to continue at times.

“I would like to thank them all for the time they have worked for the company, some of them for many years, for the efforts they have made and the hard work and dedication they have given.

“I was and am proud of what we achieved and sorry it has to end like this, but we won’t be on our own. I wish them all the luck for the future, and once again thank you.”

ONLINE: www.halifaxcourier. co.uk