MP Travel - Winding up order

[liamf656]

Following the recent withdrawal of the X1 service, I've been told today about a winding up order given to this operator. All assets are currently being sold including buses, and most of the contracts have been handed to Howards Travel. More info as I get it and I will link a source when something comes up outside of Facebook

 

[alex397]

Well that sounds like a real shame. Seemed like a quality operator.

Travelled on the X1 in 2021, and I was impressed with the driver, and the quality of vehicles. Much better than the other operators in that area!

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Are things really going to change that much? MP Travel and Howards are already in the same yard. Are they really that seperate?

 

[liamf656]

Are things really going to change that much? MP Travel and Howards are already in the same yard. Are they really that seperate?

I wouldn't see any huge change if I'm honest, however I do believe the two companies were separate albeit with some good working relations. Since I've posted the Facebook page has been taken down and all trace of MP Travel online has been removed!

Another small note that the Evora MP20BUS has been sold to Lloyds coaches of Machynlleth

 

[markymark2000]

Are things really going to change that much? MP Travel and Howards are already in the same yard. Are they really that seperate?

No, they aren't really separate. The owner of MP Travel has always worked very closely with Howards and hence the second Howards got their O Licence took off them MP travel took on the B52 in an instant and hence why it is passing straight back to Howards now. Howards and MP generally shared drivers, now share a yard. They certainly share vehicles. Legally and customer facing, they are/were different companies. Operationally, they were basically the same firm.

 

[2192]

Which town do they run in?

 

[markymark2000]

Warrington

 

[richw]

The winding up order was discontinued on the 17th March 2022 as per companies house listings.

 

[northwichcat]

Which town do they run in?

Warrington

They're based in Warrington but as far as I'm aware they've never operated a public bus service in Warrington. They took over the Omega work shuttles (in Warrington) from Howards and operated work shuttles at Airport City. Their other work was the X1 Runcorn to Liverpool service, operating some Megabus services under a franchise agreement with Stagecoach and undertaking rail replacement work.

Before Howards lost their operating licence, MP Travel vehicles were sometimes seen on routes contracted to Howards - 48 Frodsham to Northwich, 289 Altrincham to Northwich and 200 Wilmslow to Manchester Airport. I'm not sure if one of their vehicles ever made it to Macclesfield on the 27.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2022 ==

and hence why it is passing straight back to Howards now.

Is it though? MP Travel revised their registration for the B52 instead of cancelling it, so it sounds like the plan was for the operators to share the B52.

 

[liamf656]

The winding up order was discontinued on the 17th March 2022 as per companies house listings.

Strange. I wonder why they’ve suddenly disappeared without a trace then!

 

[northwichcat]

Strange. I wonder why they’ve suddenly disappeared without a trace then!

It looks like a 'work in progress' website is on the mptravel.co.uk domain for 'Omega Busways'

"Omega Busways operates custom works services in Warrington & Manchester for companies including Amazon, Domino's, Hermes, The Hut Group and Travis Perkins."

 

[richw]

Strange. I wonder why they’ve suddenly disappeared without a trace then!

Accounts are overdue, and the proprietor has been photod driving EYMS services, so without doubt has closed in my view.

 

[markymark2000]

Accounts are overdue, and the proprietor has been photod driving EYMS services, so without doubt has closed in my view.

He was driving EYMS services while MP Travel was running. He also loaned MP Travel drivers to East Yorkshire during last summer when he claimed that 'driver issues' meant that the X1 was being reduced and trips cancelled. The fact he has been driving for East Yorkshire for me means nothing.

 

[northwichcat]

He was driving EYMS services while MP Travel was running. He also loaned MP Travel drivers to East Yorkshire during last summer when he claimed that 'driver issues' meant that the X1 was being reduced and trips cancelled. The fact he has been driving for East Yorkshire for me means nothing.

They also sent X1 buses to Manchester to run Manchester-Bolton RRBs on Saturdays earlier in the year, at the same time as they running a reduced X1 timetable 'due to driver shortages'.

 

[richw]

They also sent X1 buses to Manchester to run Manchester-Bolton RRBs on Saturdays earlier in the year, at the same time as they running a reduced X1 timetable 'due to driver shortages'.

Guaranteed income versus whatever passenger revenue might be generated!
Also a driver might be willing to do a hire or rail on rest day but not service work. If It’s rest day they can say yes or no to whether they fancy running the overtime job being asked of them!

 

[GusB]

In the absence of any verifiable source to back up the claims about MP Travel, or any individuals connected with it, the thread will be closed for now.

If this changes and such information comes to light, feel free to report this post and we'll consider re-opening for further discussion.