Siesta Spanish shuttles to end
Iconic holiday shuttle operator in the north east faces unviable costs
Siesta Holidays, the Middlesbrough-based Spanish shuttle operator, is to cease its ‘shuttles to the sun’ service at the end of 2024, citing costs and Channel delays for its problems.
The five-coach operation which uses Van Hool Astromega ‘deckers to get holidaymakers to destinations in the South of France and Costa Brava was established in 1980, building an iconic service which relayed passengers to campsites and budget hotels. But starting with the pandemic, it has faced a raft of cost increases and delays, said one of its three Directors, John Harrison.
“In 2020, we were just about to begin what was looking like a great season when Covid struck. We’d hoped it would be over quickly, but for that season, the coaches were sitting in the garage,” John told Bus & Coach Buyer.
“But we got through Covid, thanks to furlough, the CBILS loans and customers who left their holiday deposits with us. We’d had to cut back on marketing though, so when we re-started, we had no new customers. Although we have a loyal following with many repeat bookings, we do need new customers too.”
John said that the difficulties at the Channel, both with Eurotunnel backing out of the coach market, and costly delays at ferryports, coupled with recruitment issues and other rising costs, have left Siesta unable to invest in new vehicles: “I’ve been with Siesta for 35 years, so it’s a sad time,” said John.
Siesta’s parent company will continue to run holiday homes in Europe but the coach shuttle will be wound up later this year and the vehicles sold.
On social media, customers were devastated: “Lovely staff- from booking with the office, travelling to reps onsite. Heartbreaking,” wrote one. Another said: “Oh no . I can’t fly . I’m totally distraught.”
“Loved holidays with you guys. Staff are amazing. Coaches are amazing and so comfortable. Like many, I hate flying and the coach was just what was needed to be able to go abroad. Was trying to persuade my partner to go next year by coach. Gutted. Feel for all those who work for Siesta.”
“As someone who can’t fly for medical reasons, Siesta was a lifeline for my family to get to Disney then onto the sea and sun, had been counting down the days to rebook for next year. I hope all the drivers and hostesses are OK through this news,” wrote one customer. “First time we used this company this year to travel to Spain, as my autistic daughter won’t fly. Was waiting to book again for next year as we loved our journey with them, so this is a big blow,” wrote another.