HCT Group is putting its South Yorkshire subsidiary Powell’s Bus into administration, with the last service having run at 5pm last Friday.
The move follows a period where the company says its has been rocked by multiple challenges – a period of difficult trading prior to the pandemic, the financial impact of the pandemic itself, followed immediately by the current surge in fuel prices and the cost-of-living crisis. This has led to unsustainable commercial losses and we see no alternative other than immediate closure of Powell’s.
“This is a very sad day for us all at HCT Group” said Lynn McClelland, HCT Group Chief Executive. “Everyone at Powell’s – and across the wider HCT Group – has worked tirelessly to put the operations in Yorkshire on a sustainable footing, but there is nothing further to be done.
“We are still hoping that SYPTE can identify new operators for our services, which will protect services for the public and secure jobs for our colleagues. However, there can be no doubt that there will be disruption for the travelling public and distress for our team as this process works itself through.
“It has been our pleasure and privilege to serve the people of South Yorkshire since we began operating services in 2018, and an honour to work with such a dedicated team. I am saddened for those colleagues whose livelihoods are affected and for the passengers in Yorkshire who rely on us. I am deeply sorry that this is the outcome we face.”
