Utopia Coaches in liquidation

Sherburn-in-Elmet based Utopia Coaches has gone into liquidation. The company operated both school and local bus services under contract to North Yorkshire County Council, as well as providing a commercial bus network that was not subsidised by the council.

Its services covered the towns of Selby, Pontefract, York, Drax and Tadcaster. According to press reports, drivers were made aware of the closure via text message. Based in the same village as Optare, there is no surprise that the operator ran a number of vehicles from this manufacturer.

The County Council has announced that Yorkshire Coastliner (operated by Transdev), York Pullman, Stringers Coaches, Harrogate Coach Travel and its own services are to take over former-Utopia Coaches routes.

North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Passenger Transport, County Cllr Don Mackenzie, said: “The withdrawal of these services by Utopia Coaches came out of the blue. We are working hard to determine the most appropriate course of action and secure continuity of an appropriate level of service for passengers.”