The long-standing Scottish coach and bus operator has closed following difficult trading conditions over the last two years
Family-owned coach and bus operator Keenan of Ayr Coach Travel went into liquidation on Friday 11 February. The company was founded over 60 years ago by Jack and Anne Keenan. With their three sons involved in the business from a young age, the reigns of the business were then passed down to their youngest son, Jamie and his wife Sandra.
A local council spokesperson said: “On Friday, February 11, we were made aware that Keenan of Ayr would no longer be able to fulfil their 14 mainstream school transport contracts, affecting eight schools and 580 pupils. In conjunction with colleagues at SPT, we acted quickly to source alternative transport operators, with all 14 runs replaced and confirmed on Monday 14 February.
“Notifications were issued to the affected schools, as well as all parents and carers, updating them on the relevant change of school transport operator on Tuesday 15 February. The new contracts put in place were operational from Wednesday 16 February following the school holiday, with no break in service.”
Begbies Traynor was appointed as joint provisional liquidators of John Keen & Sons (Darwin Garage) Ltd on Wednesday 16 February. Thomas McKay, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: “Unfortunately, after the last two years of difficult trading, the business has suffered from a cash flow perspective and latterly proved unviable, due to material decreases in turnover and remote learning for children, resulting in a reduction in the number of buses on the roads and income for the business.”
He added: “We are now in the process of dealing with the company’s affairs and realising any assets to provide the best return for creditors.”
Neil McNaughton, 71, who had worked as a part-time driver at the firm for 20 years, told Ayrshire Live: “It was a complete shock when they told us the company was going into liquidation. We all got a text in the afternoon on the Thursday before mid-term. We were told to make ourselves available for a meeting after school runs.
“It is a great shame. It is one of the oldest bus firms in Ayrshire with a lot of history supporting the miners with transport and it was well known for contracts lasting decades with some of the schools.”
The company had authorisation to operate 18 vehicles from its depot in Coalhall, Ayr.
