Nippy Bus (Somerset) folds?

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

I said we pay enough, not that it should be reduced, and that effective savings could be made my making the local authorities (and central government for that matter) use our money more responsibly and more effectively, so I don't know why you're introducing neoliberalism to this debate.

Actually you said you pay 'more than enough'.

I didn't introduce politics into this debate, but it is relevant because the funding of public services is a political decision.

[JayMac]

Quite comical really.

Always happy to amuse. 

I intentionally worded my post such as I knew someone would be along to imply I had some leaning towards the far right of the media and sure enough the bait was taken.

A perfect definition of trolling. Even down to the use of a fishing metaphor. Brilliant!

And comical too. Touché.

[chrisr_75]

I said we pay enough, not that it should be reduced, and that effective savings could be made my making the local authorities (and central government for that matter) use our money more responsibly and more effectively, so I don't know why you're introducing neoliberalism to this debate.

Actually you said you pay 'more than enough'.

I didn't introduce politics into this debate, but it is relevant because the funding of public services is a political decision.

What I actually said was that I pay more than enough for not very much. In other words, I feel that I do not receive value for money from my council tax. How the hell you link that with neoliberalism, I do not know.

Yes, you were the person who brought neoliberalism into this debate.

[JayMac]

Touché.

I may have spelled that wrong.

[grahame]

Further comment from staff published in the Yeovil Express

Driver Steve Atkins, 61, from Martock, Somerset, said staff were "in total shock".

"Nobody expected it," he said.

"It was a shock to see an email saying you ain't got a job tomorrow."

The company had 17 buses and operated several public bus routes across Somerset and Dorset, as well as school and college bus services.

Mr Atkins described Mr Hardy as a private man who "didn't have good relationship" with his staff.

He claimed the business had been struggling since a number of its drivers left to join larger rival companies such as FirstBus and Stagecoach in 2011.

Nippybus had been forced to cut the number of routes it operated as a result.

Sacked driver Dave English, 64, who was a driver at Nippy Bus for almost nine years, said: "It's disgusting the way it's been handled. Nobody has any respect for him.

"He wasn't a nice person to work with. You can't just bury your head the way he has done and not confront the problems.

"He knew months ago that the company was in trouble in terms of the number of drivers we had.

"Everyone was doing long shifts but he just expected us to do them.

"The memo makes it out that it's the drivers' fault that this has happened, but without us he would never have had his company.

"He was always going off to Thailand on holidays. He was never around. He let other people do his job for him.

"Some of these drivers have children and mortgages. We haven't been paid for last month's work."

[TonyK]

Touché.

I may have spelled that wrong.

Touché.

Having read all of this, I am wondering if the end came for Nippy Bus as it sometimes does, with a phone conversation between MD and bank manager, during which the latter refuses to extend the overdraft of the former, leaving no money pay for fuel for 17 buses to start the week once the MD gets back from his own half-term holiday. It has happened elsewhere that the unfortunate person took action to relieve himself of his sorrows, and decided to use social media after opening the second bottle.

Never wise. You have such a lot of work to do the following morning, taking down posts before anyone reads them. Or so a friend told me.

[Red Squirrel]

How the hell you link that with neoliberalism, I do not know.

If you didn't find reading The Guardian infra dig, you might begin to see. Just the first paragraph would do; you could always have a bath afterwards, or cleanse yourself by reading one of Sarah Vine's lovely Mail articles.

[TonyK]

If you didn't find reading The Guardian infra dig, you might begin to see. Just the first paragraph would do; you could always have a bath afterwards, or cleanse yourself by reading one of Sarah Vine's lovely Mail articles.

Other newspapers are available, some with tougher crosswords. Personally, I find Tim Vine to be funnier.

[chrisr_75]

How the hell you link that with neoliberalism, I do not know.

If you didn't find reading The Guardian infra dig, you might begin to see. Just the first paragraph would do; you could always have a bath afterwards, or cleanse yourself by reading one of Sarah Vine's lovely Mail articles.

Why why why when I make a simple statement that I feel I do not receive value for money is that made out to be linked to some political ideology?

I don't think car tyres are particularly good value for money either. Does that also translate to a political ideology?

And why, if I do not care for The Guardian, do you imply that I have some strange desire to read the Daily Mail?

[Red Squirrel]

Why why why..?

The Duck test.

[bobm]

I am all for robust debate but can we make it a little less personal please? 

[LiskeardRich]

According to th Sun his own daughter fell foul of this entire dismissal. Also suggested the company isn’t insolvent.

Whilst I understand some of the anger at the owner, could there be another side to it, mental health issues on the owners side for example?

[broadgage]

There was a report about nippy bus and the demise thereof on tonight's BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) TV news, west country edition.

The traffic commissioners have barred the owner from operating buses for 10 years. The TV news attempted to contact him for comment but were not able to do so. Unconfirmed reports suggested that he is in Thailand.

The report of the traffic commissioner was very critical of the management of nippy bus.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-42805996 Also on BBC news website.

[Bus Queen]

The owner of Nippy buses must of been forced into a desperate situation to have reacted this way.  Could a simple chat to  his bank manger or even the council have kept him in business we will never know.

[TonyK]

The owner of Nippy buses must of been forced into a desperate situation to have reacted this way.  Could a simple chat to  his bank manger or even the council have kept him in business we will never know.

It is equally possible that the simple chat with the bank manager was the catalyst for closure. Again, we may never know.