‘Options Being Explored’ As GHA Coaches Collapse ‘Cuts Communities Off’

A week after the collapse of GHA Coaches areas of Wrexham remain without a bus service – causing concern that rural communities have been left isolated.

On Wednesday 13th July Ruabon based company  GHA Coaches announced they had entered into administration, resulting in the loss of 320 jobs across north east Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.

The company, which operated over 230 school and commercial services ‘immediately ceased trading’ last Wednesday – causing disruption to those who relied on the services.

In Wrexham GHA Coaches operated 29 services, particularly to rural areas who relied on the company to travel to and from the town.

Although some routes have restarted under new providers after GHA’s collapse, some services and route areas are still yet to know if and how they will be catered for.

Communications to take over local services have taken place with alternative operators, with Arriva Buses stating they are working with local authorities across north east Wales, Cheshire and Chester to explore what services they could provide.

Over the weekend D Jones & Son announced that they had taken over three local services, including the routes which serve the Wrexham Industrial Estate, and restarting the 5 service. The company also confirmed that several former GHA Coaches employees had been taken on by D Jones & Son.

However over 20 services provided by GHA Coaches remain out of action, causing concerns that those who live in rural parts of Wrexham have been alienated and cut off from the community.

Wrexham Council are in talks to get the 64 Llangollen and 65 Wrexham services reinstated, as yet, there are no operators willing to run them

— Glyn Ceiriog (@GlynCeiriog) July 18, 2016

Fears have also been raised that the lack of replacement bus services could have a serious impact on the parts of the county which rely on tourism.

Speaking to Wrexham.com, Chirk South Cllr Terry Evans said: “This could not have come at a more difficult time for tourism and jobs which are so crucial to the rural economy.

“Chirk is a tourist hub with links from Chirk Railway Station to the World Heritage site, Chirk castle, the Ceiriog Valley and Llangollen.”

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM has described the situation as ‘terrible news’, adding that last week’s announcement left ‘passengers and school children stranded for the following morning’.

He said: “GHA Coaches going into administration is terrible news for the workers, some of whom will only get two days’ pay and have been left in the lurch by this shock announcement. It also bad news for passengers who rely on GHA services to get to work, school, college or visit relatives.

Mr Gruffydd added: “De-regulated public transport isn’t working – this isn’t the first bus company that’s gone bust in Wales and I fear it won’t be the last. We need to re-think how we ensure better integrated public transport here in Wales.”

However Wrexham Council have assured residents that work finding replacement services for those affected across Wrexham is underway, with Lead Member for Environment and Transport Cllr David A Bithell stating that the authority will ‘continue to explore options’.

He said: “As part of our extensive work now to fill the gaps in the transport network in Wrexham, officers are actively working with neighbours and transport operators to define and devise alternate service provision. These will of course follow the statutory procedure for introduction of registered bus services.

“Yesterday, following approval from the Traffic Commissioner, a number of new registered services were introduced.”

Cllr Bithell added: “We will continue to explore options for mitigating the loss of the 24 services in line with our prioritisation criteria. I am speaking with Portfolio holders from our neighbouring authority’s; Flintshire and Denbighshire to assess the wider picture and make representations to Welsh Government so we can combine our efforts to reinstate transport provision in the region.”