North Wales-based independent coach operator, Alpine Travel, has recently introduced a scheme to help those who are vulnerable and self-isolating in the North Wales coastal region.
Not wishing to introduce compulsory layoffs or short-term work for its staff, Alpine Travel and its daughter company Jones Holidays have taken the bold step to maintain payroll across the business for as long as possible.
On 20 March the company introduced a scheme which it says will not only help the local community, but also help to keep its employees engaged during this difficult period.
Following the government advice for self-isolation and working from home, many people find themselves in difficulties with simple tasks such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions and other daily errands.
With this in mind, Alpine is reaching out to the local community to offer a complimentary community transport service to enable vulnerable people in the area to access shops to purchase vital supplies and run errands such as picking up prescriptions.
Alpine has over 100 employees, the majority of whom are drivers. Chris Owens, Managing Director, commented: “Over the coming days we expect to see an uptake in the offer of our services, and we will collectively face this coronavirus challenge together.
“Having already made some tough decisions, I am confident that as the troubled times pass our business will go from strength to strength. We must remember that there are many in our local communities far worse off than we are. I hope in some small way that this offer of free services for the community will help.”
Alpine is operating strict hygiene routines for all its drivers and vehicles, and all drivers are DBS cleared. The company’s transport operations team will be coordinating the effort to help the local community and plan to assist wherever possible over the coming weeks and months.
