A COMMUNITY bus operator has axed all of its services after entering "liquidation".
Johnstone and Area Community Transport in Renfrewshire revealed the news on Facebook on Monday, June 9.
In the post, the non-profit company's director, John McBarron, said it was with "great sadness" that an agent had been appointed for the liquidation of the "small" firm.
The boss revealed that "rising costs and cash flow" issues led the company to make the "difficult decision".
McBarron said that as of Tuesday, June 10, Johnstone and Area Community Transport "will no longer be operating bus services".
In the post, Johnstone and Area Community Transport went on: "It is with great sadness that an agent has been appointed for the liquidation of our small company.
"Rising costs and cash flow problems have led us to make this difficult decision.
"SPT were informed last week that we were in a critical financial position.
"We are incredibly grateful for the loyalty of our passengers, and hopefully, we have shown there is demand for additional local bus services.
"We are also thankful to Renfrewshire Council and The National Lottery Fund that together supported us with £35,000 of funding.
"This figure is less than half of the value that I personally contributed to this company.
"After working for a year without pay, I can no longer sustain the financial burden.
"The team of drivers, in my opinion, are the best drivers in the world.
"Their humility, empathy and community spirit could not be surpassed.
"They all demonstrated to the bus industry how to operate a bus service with recognition of people’s needs and not just treating them as revenue.
"The whole community supported us. We wish everyone all the best on their future journeys. Unfortunately, we will not be part of that.
"Sincerely, John McBarron, director."
After announcing the devastating news, the organisation has since made its website private.
The Kilbarchan local said: “The meeting was about the poorness of the buses.
“The more I thought about it, the more I thought maybe I could [do something about the buses].
“I then had a day where three buses were off in a row, and I was trying to get up the road.
"I went right, that’s it, I’ve had enough of this, I'm going to do something about this."
SPT and Renfrewshire Council have been contacted for comment.
