THERE are calls for a council boss to resign after the dramatic collapse of a major regional bus company.

Hale Bank Parish Council chair Kieran Reed said blame for the collapse of Halton Transport 'lies at the feet' of Halton Council chief executive David Parr.

Cllr Reed said: “He and his well-salaried officers, or operational directors as they like to call themselves these days have, in my opinion, made some catastrophic decisions which are creating great hardship in this borough.

“It seems they are no more able to run a transport department than they are a planning department.

“But as CEO David Parr should be held to account. It is time for him to go.”

The council-owned bus company ceased trading on Friday after days of speculation having racked up almost £620,000 in losses in the previous year. 

Warrington's Own Buses has stepped in to save a number of services and almost 30 jobs.

It is now will be operating the 20, 20a, 3d and the Warrington only journeys of the 62.  

Warrington’s Own Buses has also taken over running of the bus services to Riverside & Cronton Colleges. 

In July 2019 the council had bailed out the company with a £750,000 loan, but declined to come to its aid a second time.

Cllr Reed, who has previously clashed with Halton Council over its approval of a waste transfer facility in his area, added that he was concerned that Hale Bank would be “cut off” given its main bus service was Halton Transport’s 62 route.

The 62 route has been picked up by Arriva North West, but will run every half-hour Monday-to-Friday instead of every 15 minutes, and the hourly Sunday service has been cut entirely.

Instead, passengers have been left with only Arriva’s 500 service on Sundays, and must catch the 110 from Widnes Green Oaks if they want to get to Warrington, as the new 62 will stop in Murdishaw.

Cllr Reed said there was no doubt in his mind that Hale Bank residents would suffer because of the loss of the Halton Transport bus service.

He said: “Schoolchildren, the elderly, hospital outpatients, they are the most vulnerable. But it is not just them. Hale Bank is isolated and not everyone drives around in a big, swanky car unlike some.”

In response, Mr Parr said:

“Halton Transport is a private limited company and operated commercially ‘at arm’s-length’ to the council. It was run by a managing director, operations director and finance director all employed by the company, not the council. These senior executive officers managed the company on a day-to-day basis. The company has faced significant financial problems over a long period of time.

“The council has, over many months, been actively supporting the company in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the business. Unfortunately, this was not possible.

“While it is regretful that Halton Transport has ceased trading, I am sure the public of Halton will agree the council simply can not continue to use further public funds to support what is, a failing commercial operation.

“However, it is a priority for us that our community are able go about their daily lives with minimum disruption. That is why we have been working with other bus operators to put in place alternative arrangements.

“Council staff have worked around the clock, in difficult circumstances, to put in place alternative bus services for the travelling public. This has been extremely challenging and it is an absolute credit to them that there has been minimal disruption to services this morning. I’m sure regular bus users will join me in thanking them for their efforts.”