Plymouth Citycoach announced on Wednesday 24 June that as a result of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it had taken the decision to close the business, which is the holiday and day trips arm of Plymouth Citybus. It operated day trips and coach tours around the Uk and Ireland, as well as providing coach hire, and was founded in the 1980s.
In a statement on its website, the company said: ”We are deeply sorry for the disappointment and sadness this will cause our customers.”
The operator suspended its programme of day trips and holidays in March, and had already cancelled all holidays and trips up to and including September. It said that staff have been working remotely to refund customers in full for their cancelled holidays and trips and the process of refunding all bookings is still underway and will take some weeks.
As a member of Bonded Coach Holidays, with adherence to its charter and strict financial procedures the firm reassured passengers who had made bookings that all monies will be refunded in due course.
The closure affected seven staff, and will result in the loss of six jobs: One member of staff took up an offer of alternative employment within Plymouth Citybus.
The operator said that the closure is the result of the severe financial pressure the entire coaching industry has come under over the last three months, and that the loss of passenger booking income, coupled with the remaining overheads such as maintenance, insurance and depreciation costs for its fleet along with the potential introduction of social distancing measures reducing coach capacities, has eroded the viability of the business.
Plymouth Citybus Managing Director Richard Stevens said:
“We are devasted that we have had to make this decision and deeply regret the loss of the jobs of our colleagues, all loyal and long-serving staff, but we were faced with no other option due to the effects of the pandemic. I would like to thank most sincerely our customers for their support for Plymouth Citycoach over many years and I do appreciate that they will feel the loss of holiday and breaks programme very keenly.”
