'Sabotage' claim as easyBus services to end in Shropshire
EasyBus has stopped running bus services in Shropshire, with its owner claiming the business had been the target of sabotage.
Andrew Martin set up the easyBus service, which provided airport runs and local bus routes, in January 2017, but has announced he is stopping the services from September 9.
Mr Martin, who has suffered a serious illness in recent weeks, said he had taken the decision because “certain individuals had been out to sabotage the business”.
He said: “They have escalated their action over recent weeks and certain incidents have been reported to the police. The safety of the general public, passengers and staff has always been of paramount importance to me. No expense has been spared in the maintenance of our vehicles.”
Mr Martin set up the franchise Skiers Lodge Limited, operating under the name of easyBus, to take people to Manchester Airport from stops at Telford, Shrewsbury and Oswestry – charging £2.
The business was run from a unit in Harlescott, Shrewsbury, which saw up to 10 coaches being hired out in the summer of 2017, creating six jobs.
It added routes including taking passengers to Liverpool, but last week customers started to speculate on social media that as of September 9 all registrations for the service, including airport runs were to be cancelled. That has now been confirmed and customers have been advised to call the company for refunds.
Announcing the decision to shut in a letter to staff, Mr Martin said: “I am sorry that the action of certain individuals has been a serious contributory factor which has caused you to lose your employment and I would like to thank you for the hard work that you have put in.”
