Accrington-based M&M Coaches has announced that due to lack of business, the company has ceased its services around East Lancashire. All 30 members of staff have been forced to find alternative work.
The operator provides nine bus services throughout East Lancashire to towns and villages including Accrington, Padiham, Burnley, Oswaldtwistle, Whalley, Clitheroe, Barnfield, Clayton-le-Moors, Brownhill and Blackburn. Four routes, the 231, 1, 2 and 9, will be taken on by fellow company Pilkingtonbus.
Transport Manager Bob Tuffnell, who has been with the firm for 19 years, told The Lancashire Telegraph: “I’m gutted. We have been hit big by charges on bus departures, operator fees, changes in regulations that are coming through, along with the fact we just can’t afford to keep running anymore.
“I feel that the government has realised that they should never have privatised the bus industry and now they are trying to find a way back.”
Andrew Varley, Public Transport Manager for Lancashire County Council, said: “Bus companies will be made aware of the services being withdrawn following the closure of M & M. It will be for them to decide if they wish to run any replacements.
“We are working with operators to try and mitigate the impact of these changes and to reduce operational costs.”
“We are due to invoice operators for departure charges on a quarterly basis as the new Accrington bus station opened in July and we’re due to do this for the first time in October.”
