Emergency buses to run after collapse of Barnsley firm Tates Travel

Tates Travel announced on Monday that it would cease trading and all its services would end with immediate effect. The company operated in Barnsley and Rotherham areas, with services to Doncaster, Meadowhall, Dewsbury, Morley and Wakefield.

Following the news of the closure, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, which subsidises a number of buses previously run by Tates Travel, said it would take urgent action with Barnsley Council and bus operators to put alternative services in place.

Temporary arrangements have already been made to ensure many buses can continue to run. Work is also underway to resume services on the remaining affected routes.

Pre-purchased Tates Travel weekly tickets are being accepted on some services. Passengers can get up-to-date information at www.travelsouthyorkshire.com, by calling Traveline on 01709 51 51 51 and on Twitter @TSYalerts.

Former Shadow Transport Secretary and current Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher, who has previously criticised Tates, said it was ‘appallingly shoddy’ that Tates had given less than 24 hours’ notice of their services coming to an end.

“With the shock collapse of Tates Travel, we need to make sure that local people are not left high and dry, and cut off in their communities,” he added.

Mr Dugher said he would contact the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive ‘to demand that urgent action is taken so that other bus providers can step in to run vital local bus services.’