Maytree Travel - Bolton

[cumbria0902150]

RE: Maytree Travel - Bolton
There's a related article in Route One this week:

Maytree Uncertainty

Uncertainty surrounds the agreed takeover of Maytree Travel by not-for-profit organisation Manchester Community Transport (MCT).
MCT announced that it acquired Maytree on 1 March.
At the time MCT said: “The future of MCT and Maytree Travel is now a shared one, both for the organisations and our customers.”
However, this week MCT has surrendered a number of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) local bus contracts operated by Maytree.
In a press statement, Michael Renshaw, TfGM Bus & Rail Director says: “Following discussions with Manchester Community Transport (MCT), we have today issued tender documents to secure prices for emergency contracts covering a number of services currently operated by Maytree Travel under contract with us.
“These tenders come in light of issues raised with us by MCT, which they are actively trying to resolve.
"The services involved provide important links for communities in Bolton and neighbouring areas and securing short-term emergency contracts would ensure they continue to run in the immediate future if MCT cannot address the situation. This would then give us the time required to work with other operators in Greater Manchester to secure long-term replacement contracts.”
Founded in 2007 Bolton- based Maytree Travel had been built on TfGM contracted services.
Its turnover increased to close to £3.3m with 80 staff and more than 30 buses.
Owner Gary Hawthorne is believed to be on a cruise and not available for comment, while nobody from MCT responded to route one’s calls.
MCT is set to introduce 10 Optare Solo SR hybrids this weekend. Part-funded by Green Bus Fund Three, the new buses will operate on 12 South Manchester routes under five year contracts awarded by TfGM.