VILLAGERS between York, Selby and Tadcaster have been left stranded after a bus operator suddenly ceased trading with little notice to passengers. <\/p>\n
Utopia Coaches, based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, took to social media site Twitter with a brief statement onyesterday evening stating services would not be running from today. <\/p>\n
The sudden move left unaware commuters and passengers waiting at bus stopsthis morningas services failed to arrive in villages including Cawood, Naburn, Stillingfleet, Wistow, and Camblesforth. <\/p>\n
It is also believed some of the companys drivers were also uninformed, and instead heard the news from the companys Twitter post. <\/p>\n
The statement from Utopia, which operates the number 8 service between Selby and Drax, the 37 between Tadcaster and York, the 420 between Selby and York and the 422 between Pontefract and York, as well as a further four services in West Yorkshire, simply read: As from 00.01 hrs Wednesday 23rd August, Utopia Coaches will cease trading. No services will operate again from this time. <\/p>\n
Utopia, which has been operating bus routes since 2007, ran contracts on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council covering school runs and local bus services, as well as its own commercial network. <\/p>\n
The County Council said it was not made aware of the company going into liquidation until yesterday morning. In a statement it said: Several local transport providers have contacted the council to offer their assistance and we will work with them to try to fill the gaps. <\/p>\n
Pupils entitled to free transport will not be disrupted and arrangements will be in place for the new school term. <\/p>\n
The council advised passengers needing to get to urgent medical appointments or essential local amenities to contact Selby District Community Transport on 01757 708036, or Tadcaster Volunteer Cars & Services on 01937 835600. <\/p>\n
County cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for Passenger Transport, said: The withdrawal of these services by Utopia Coaches came out of the blue. We are working hard to determine the most appropriate course of action. <\/p>\n
Updates will be posted on http:\/\/www.northyorks.gov.uk<\/a>. <\/p>\n *Have you been affected by Utopia's sudden withdrawl of bus services? if so contact newsdesk@thepress.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n See the rest here: <\/p>\n Utopia Coaches announces "out of the blue" bus service withdrawl ... - The Press, York<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" VILLAGERS between York, Selby and Tadcaster have been left stranded after a bus operator suddenly ceased trading with little notice to passengers. Utopia Coaches, based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, took to social media site Twitter with a brief statement onyesterday evening stating services would not be running from today. The sudden move left unaware commuters and passengers waiting at bus stopsthis morningas services failed to arrive in villages including Cawood, Naburn, Stillingfleet, Wistow, and Camblesforth Continue reading