A bus company boss has sacked an entire staff in an internal message and has cancelled all services with immediate effect.
Employees at Nippy Bus, which operated services in its 17 buses across South Somerset, received a message to ‘consider themselves dismissed/redundant’.
The company’s customer website said it has ceased operating with immediate effect.
Employees at Nippy Bus, which operated services across South Somerset, received a message to ‘consider themselves dismissed/redundant’
The company’s customer website said it has ceased operating with immediate effect
Somerset County Council has been scrambling to find replacement services, as the shock decision has affected 300 pupils at four different schools.
Managing director Sydney Hardy could not be contacted for comment.
Driver Steve Atkins said that he was ‘very angry that it was done that way’.
The internal message, which was sent over the weekend, said the company had ‘ceased operational activity with immediate effect’ from Sunday.
It added: ‘I am quitting to pursue my dream of not having to work here.
‘There is a difference between giving up and knowing when you have had enough.
‘I have had enough and realise I cannot work with you, the people I employ, a moment longer.’
The memo also says that ‘the gates are now closed and will not open so you [staff] can stay in your scratchers Monday and have a lie in’.
Somerset County Council has stepped in to organise alternative transport.
A statement for the local authority yesterday said: ‘The council was given no prior notice of a decision by Nippybus taken late on Sunday to cease operating with immediate effect.
Somerset County Council has stepped in to organise alternative transport for people
‘Nippybus ran several school and public bus contracts as well as a number of demand responsive transport (DRT) services and private services.
‘More than 300 students were affected across 4 schools – Stanchester Academy, Huish Episcopi Academy, Ansford Academy and Keinton Mandeville Primary School – yesterday morning.
‘Although the majority of services did run, some were delayed by up to an hour.
‘With the support of other operators, council officers have managed to find replacement services for all of the routes from and today, will be making permanent arrangements as soon as possible.
‘Text messages were sent to parents to advise them of delays and alternative arrangements.
‘A number of public bus services were also affected and council officers have been working with bus operators to find replacements.
‘County Tickets will continue to be valid on all replacement services.’