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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/01/sydney-hardy-nippybus-boss-fires-bus-drivers-with-blunt-note
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| ‘I can’t work with you a moment longer’: boss fires bus drivers with blunt note | ‘I can’t work with you a moment longer’: boss fires bus drivers with blunt note |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The boss of a Somerset bus company has taken his fleet off the road without warning and sent a note to staff saying: “I have had enough and realise I cannot work with you a moment longer.” | The boss of a Somerset bus company has taken his fleet off the road without warning and sent a note to staff saying: “I have had enough and realise I cannot work with you a moment longer.” |
| The journeys of hundreds of passengers, including schoolchildren, have been affected. Nippybus drivers and staff have expressed anger at the sudden closure of the company. | The journeys of hundreds of passengers, including schoolchildren, have been affected. Nippybus drivers and staff have expressed anger at the sudden closure of the company. |
| The company’s website says: “Nippybus has ceased operational activity with immediate effect. The company has appointed agents who will now work to release the company’s assets and discharge its liabilities.” | The company’s website says: “Nippybus has ceased operational activity with immediate effect. The company has appointed agents who will now work to release the company’s assets and discharge its liabilities.” |
| But an internal memo to staff from Sydney Hardy, 57, was much more colourful, saying he was “getting off” after 13 years in charge of the company. | |
| “There is a difference between giving up and knowing when you have had enough,” the note continued. “I have had enough and realise I cannot work with you, the people I employ, a moment longer. | |
| “There comes a time in any relationship when you just have to say ‘Fuck it’, say goodbye and move on. This is my time! I am quitting to pursue my dream of not having to work here.” | |
| Hardy added: “The gates are now closed and will not open so you can stay in your scratchers and have a lie in.” | Hardy added: “The gates are now closed and will not open so you can stay in your scratchers and have a lie in.” |
| Somerset county council said it had to step in at short notice after Hardy’s decision on Sunday to cease operating. | Somerset county council said it had to step in at short notice after Hardy’s decision on Sunday to cease operating. |
| In a statement, the council said: “Nippybus ran several school and public bus contracts as well as a number of demand responsive transport (DRT) services and private services. More than 300 students were affected across four schools. | In a statement, the council said: “Nippybus ran several school and public bus contracts as well as a number of demand responsive transport (DRT) services and private services. More than 300 students were affected across four schools. |
| “With the support of other operators, council officers have managed to find replacement services for all of the routes ... and will be making permanent arrangements as soon as possible.” | “With the support of other operators, council officers have managed to find replacement services for all of the routes ... and will be making permanent arrangements as soon as possible.” |
| Nippybus drivers were deeply unimpressed. | Nippybus drivers were deeply unimpressed. |
| Steve Atkins, 61, said staff were “in total shock”, adding: “Nobody expected it. It was a shock to see an email saying you haven’t got a job tomorrow.” | Steve Atkins, 61, said staff were “in total shock”, adding: “Nobody expected it. It was a shock to see an email saying you haven’t got a job tomorrow.” |
| Atkins, who had been with the company for three years, said: “I’ve already spoken to Citizens Advice. Everybody’s got mortgages and bills to pay. I’ve had to ring up and cancel all my direct debits … There’s no way I can cover them. The main thing is to cover the rent. I don’t know what’s gone through the man’s mind. | Atkins, who had been with the company for three years, said: “I’ve already spoken to Citizens Advice. Everybody’s got mortgages and bills to pay. I’ve had to ring up and cancel all my direct debits … There’s no way I can cover them. The main thing is to cover the rent. I don’t know what’s gone through the man’s mind. |
| “We’ve had problems recruiting drivers, but there are driver shortages all over Somerset. The industry is trapped. The wages aren’t so good. The council – who have had their funding cut – just can’t afford to pay the bus companies to run their services.” | “We’ve had problems recruiting drivers, but there are driver shortages all over Somerset. The industry is trapped. The wages aren’t so good. The council – who have had their funding cut – just can’t afford to pay the bus companies to run their services.” |
| Dave English, 64, who was a driver at Nippybus for almost nine years, said: “It’s disgusting the way it’s been handled. Nobody has any respect for him.” | Dave English, 64, who was a driver at Nippybus for almost nine years, said: “It’s disgusting the way it’s been handled. Nobody has any respect for him.” |
| English claimed the company was struggling because it had been losing drivers. “Everyone was doing long shifts, but he [Hardy] just expected us to do them. The memo makes out that it’s the drivers’ fault this has happened, but without us he would never have had his company. Some of these drivers have children and mortgages.” | English claimed the company was struggling because it had been losing drivers. “Everyone was doing long shifts, but he [Hardy] just expected us to do them. The memo makes out that it’s the drivers’ fault this has happened, but without us he would never have had his company. Some of these drivers have children and mortgages.” |
| Before it ceased operating, Nippybus claimed it was “one of Somerset’s leading independent bus companies”. | Before it ceased operating, Nippybus claimed it was “one of Somerset’s leading independent bus companies”. |
| Speaking from his home in Yeovil on Tuesday, Hardy said: “I have no further comment to make.’’ | Speaking from his home in Yeovil on Tuesday, Hardy said: “I have no further comment to make.’’ |