Lanarkshire bus firm lays off 80 workers as it goes out of business

Feb 25 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

Raging McKindless staff describe their treatment as a “slap in the face”

EIGHTY staff at Lanarkshire bus firm McKindless lost their jobs last week as the company ceased trading.

Workers laid off last Friday described their treatment as a “slap in the face”.

The company had operated from depots in Newmains and Parkhead, Glasgow.

Ex-McKindless driver, dad-of-two Steve McKenna (43) said: “Everyone knew it was coming months in advance, but the way it was handled was terrible.

“I don’t have any mortgage protection and I may lose my house now.”

Another former McKindless employee said many drivers had been with the company for almost 20 years.

He added: “It’s a disgrace and an absolute slap in the face.”

A company spokesman said it was with “great regret” that McKindless Express and McKindless Bus Company Ltd had been forced to cease trading.

He explained: “Due to the current economic climate, rising fuel costs and falling revenue due to local authority reductions in school contracts and on our local service routes due to the continued blatant predatory action of a dominant operator, we were no longer in a position to continue trading.”

McKindless had been subject to an investigation by Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner and a hearing took place last November.

However, the result of the investigation has still to be published.

Strathclyde Partnership For Transport (SPT) have placed information on alternative services at bus stops used by the company.

Competitor First Bus said this week that it already provides direct replacements for most of the affected routes, which include McKindless’s 56 Shotts-Hamilton service.

First will provide two new routes to ensure existing links are maintained.

McKindless’s service 31 between Lanark and Hamilton via the Clyde Valley has already been replaced by a new First 231 service between Lanark and Hamilton Bus Station.

McKindless’s 41 service between Lanark and Hamilton via Carluke will be replaced by a First service from April 16.

First commercial director Alex Shearer said: “We currently operate a comprehensive network of bus services in the Lanarkshire area, and would stress to customers who may be worried following McKindless’ decision, that our services cover the majority of these routes already meaning no disruption to services.”

North Lanarkshire school bus services, including one for Wishaw’s Clyde Valley High School, have also been affected.

The council’s head of educational resources, Murdo Maciver, said: “A withdrawal letter, from McKindless, was received by the council in relation to their contract for bussing pupils to and from four schools in the Wishaw area.

“A temporary contract has been put in place to deliver this service. No disruption was experienced by pupils using this form of transport.”