EYMS depot closure confirmed
East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) has now confirmed its depot at Driffield will close after services finish on 31 May. B&CB announced the possibility of its closure previously (see B&CB 1266, 7 March 2014), when the plan was declared to save overhead costs following big cuts in the money it receives for operating the Concessionary Travel Scheme. There was a period of consultation with the trade union before the decision could be finalised. Rumours the depot has already been sold have been squashed. According to EYMS Chairman, Peter Shipp, there was no attempt to market the property until the consultation had ended and the final decision confirmed. There have now been a ‘couple of unsolicited expressions of interest’, but no sale has been agreed.
All routes currently operated from the site will be reallocated to other EYMS depots. Current Driffield Supervisor, Andy Fox will take on the same role at the company’s Bridlington facility where the present incumbent has agreed to replace the retiring Supervisor at the Withernsea depot.
Peter Shipp said, ‘I think everyone concerned quickly realised the need for us to save these overhead costs and, although the closure of any of our depots is very sad, we have managed to achieve this at Driffield far more painlessly than even I had dared to hope. Just two members of staff have opted for voluntary redundancy, and one has yet to make a final decision although there is a job for him, but out of the 33 employees at the depot, all the others will be accommodated at our other depots, and as previously announced, all the bus services currently operated by Driffield will continue as they are with only one or two very minor timetable changes.’