20 jobs threatened as ShropshireLink bus service faces axe

The 20 bus drivers and office staff working for the ShropshireLink bus service expect to have their contracts terminated on November 30.

And in a meeting with Shropshire Council bosses last week, staff say they were also told the five-year lease for the service was not being renewed. But council chiefs today maintained that no formal decisions had yet been taken.

Service users branded the situation "scandalous" and said many vulnerable people, particularly in towns and villages, would be left in limbo by any changes.

The ShropshireLink service, which operates six days a week, has a fleet of nine vehicles and serves seven primary and secondary schools. It also provides transport for hundreds of passengers, many of them elderly, in towns such as Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Craven Arms and the Shrewsbury rural area.

One of the drivers, who asked not to be named, said: "We had a meeting last Tuesday where we were given our marching orders and told that we have lost our jobs from November 30 – although the bus service could end sooner.

"They gave us no proper explanation but said the five-year tender was not being reviewed and it is privatisation through the back door basically. The decision is just being rubber-stamped at this meeting at the end of the month but they wanted us and the passengers to shut up and go quietly."

An 88-year-old bus user who also asked not to be named, added: "There is so much confusion it is unbelievable and it's very difficult to get hold of anyone at the council who will tell you anything. The driver I spoke to has given 11 years service and it is absolutely scandalous to do this to them."

But councillor Claire Wild, cabinet member for transport, said the service was still under review. She said: "No formal decisions have yet been made and a report outlining the options for the future of ShropshireLink is due to be considered by councillors in July.

"A meeting was held last week with the drivers to ensure that they fully aware of the current position. They were informed that the service is currently being reviewed, and reminded that the current ShropshireLink contract ends on Nov-ember 30, but it was stressed that no decision about the future of the service has been taken."