Centrebus is to consolidate its Home Counties operations at Luton depot and close its operating centre at Stevenage. The group has cited “difficult trading conditions and the future uncertainty cast by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic” as the reason for its decision.
The final day of operation from the Whitworth Road base is expected to be 10 April. Centrebus will transfer a “substantial number” of services affected by the closure to operate from Luton. Some others that are funded by Hertfordshire County Council will transfer to different operators. They include A2B Travel Group, Central Connect, Chiltern Automotive and Richmonds Coaches.
Centrebus Managing Director Matt Evans says in a statement that the group’s Stevenage operation has “struggled over recent years,” and that when the pandemic’s impact is factored in there is no certainty over the future viability of operations from its base there.
“The decision in no way reflects the hard work, commitment and dedication of our Stevenage employees. The team, many of them long-serving members of staff, have done an excellent job over the years and we hope to maintain employment for as many of them as possible… at our Luton depot,” he adds. A formal consultation process with affected staff has already begun.
Centrebus currently bases around 28 buses at Stevenage. Its Luton depot holds approximately 40 at present.
