Latest news with #FisherTours
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Dundee travel firm to auction off 10 buses after closing
The Dundee-based coach company, Fisher Tours, announced last week it would cease operating, with more than 20 staff members being made redundant. It has been reported that no formal liquidator or administrator has been named, and that drivers and mechanics with the now closed firm are still waiting for answers regarding unpaid wages, holiday entitlement, and redundancy settlements. Fishers Tours has now put 10 of its coaches on the auction website Sweeney Kincaid, which is due to go live in June. READ MORE: Labour has 'given up' on by-election amid SNP-Reform contest, says John Swinney Last Monday, drivers and mechanics were reportedly 'stunned' after they were informed that the company would cease trading on Friday, the same week. Fishers Tours had several long-standing contracts with local councils, including transportation agreements to take pupils to and from schools in Dundee and Angus, and is one of the biggest private coach hire companies in the area. According to The Courier, former staff at the firm were told pension payments had allegedly not been made by Fishers since the beginning of the year and that they were still waiting for answers regarding the company's liquidation. 'We're all still in limbo,' one driver told The Courier. 'We left on Friday with no paperwork and no replies to any of our emails asking for the information we need. 'This includes who the administrators are, what will happen to holidays and wages due, a letter of redundancy confirmation or pensions information. 'There are no case numbers yet, to apply for money owed. We were told there would be administrators by Tuesday morning. This hasn't happened. 'Now there are more than 20 lads all panicking. It's an absolute joke. 'All the buses were removed from the yard on Monday. 'How long do we have to wait? It's an absolute shambles.'
The National
20-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Dundee travel firm closes 'out of the blue' after 20 years
The Dundee-based coach company, Fisher Tours, announced it will cease operating on Friday, with more than 20 staff members set to lose their jobs. Drivers and mechanics were reportedly 'stunned' after they were informed on Monday morning about the decision. Fishers Tours has several long-standing contracts with local councils, including transportation agreements to take pupils to and from schools in Dundee and Angus, and is one of the biggest private coach hire companies in the area. READ MORE: 'Basic fail': BBC under fire after hiding Reform politician's affiliations One employee told The Courier the decision was unfair as they said: 'This has come completely out of the blue. 'Everyone was stood on the yard completely shocked. We feel totally helpless. 'That's more than 20 drivers and mechanics who won't have jobs next week. How is that fair? 'There were a lot of jobs on the books, and these jobs have been cancelled for no real reason. "Customers have been told at short notice buses were having 'technical issues'. "They're having to make new arrangements with no time to do so.' They added: 'What I do know is there are 20-plus drivers and mechanics ready to do what needs to be done, and buses that work and can do the work. 'We want to make sure the kids get to school.' Along with school contracts Fishers Tours offer travel to other cities for events like concerts and football matches. The travel firm had a turnover of around £2.3 million in 2024 and posted a pre-tax loss of £34,000, their latest accounts show. In 2023 they posted a profit of £96,000. A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: 'We have been aware of the situation and are currently looking at the details.' A spokesperson for Angus Council said: 'We are aware of difficulties being experienced by one of our school transport bus providers, which relates to routes following schools – (primary schools) Monikie, Murroes, Birkhill; (high schools) Carnoustie, Monifieth and Webster's; and Forfar Academy. 'Firm assurances have been given to us that there will be no impact this week (Tuesday 20 May to Friday 23 May) and we are now urgently looking at alternative provision from Tuesday 27 May (Monday 26 May is an in-service day). 'We will be contacting those entitled to free home-to-school transport directly via the Group call system today and will update them again on Wednesday 28 May. READ MORE: UN warns 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours if Israel doesn't end Gaza blockade 'This will affect all users of these school transport services, including those who access the services by either paying a fare, or via the under-22 free travel scheme. Unfortunately, we are unable to contact these people directly. 'Our priority is to ensure the continuous provision of home to school transport and we will provide further updates as soon as they are available. 'Please monitor our dedicated school transport webpage which will detail the latest information.'
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots travel firm closes suddenly after 22 years with loss of around 20 jobs
It is understood staff were informed this morning after the closure GONE BUS-T Scots travel firm closes suddenly after 22 years with loss of around 20 jobs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCOTS travel firm has closed suddenly after over 20 years in business with a lose of around 20 jobs. The Dundee-based coach company, Fisher Tours, suddenly announced its closure to staff after more than two decades in business. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The long-standing tour company is set to close on Friday Credit: Fisher Tours Drivers and mechanics were reportedly informed this morning that the firm will shut its doors by the end of the week, according to The Courier. The bus company, which has long-standing contracts with local councils for school transport in the Dundee and Angus regions, has left staff and customers reeling with its abrupt decision. One employee, speaking to the local paper, slammed the closure, saying: 'This has come completely out of the blue. "Everyone was stood on the yard completely shocked. We feel totally helpless. 'That's more than 20 drivers and mechanics who won't have jobs next week. How is that fair? 'There were a lot of jobs on the books, and these jobs have been cancelled for no real reason. "Customers have been told at short notice buses were having 'technical issues'. "They're having to make new arrangements with no time to do so.' The move has sparked outrage among staff, who described the decision as 'out-of-the-blue' and unfair, leaving many scrambling to find new employment. They added: 'What I do know is there are 20-plus drivers and mechanics ready to do what needs to be done, and buses that work and can do the work. Beloved department store chain shutting more locations with clearance sales on now until final May 25 deadline 'We want to make sure the kids get to school.' Fishers' Tours is one of the largest private hire firms in the Tayside region offering short and long-distance travel across Scotland. As well as public sector contracts, they arrange transport for punters for music events and football matches. A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: 'We have been aware of the situation and are currently looking at the details.' A spokesperson for Angus Council said:'We are aware of difficulties being experienced by one of our school transport bus providers, which relates to routes following schools – (primary schools) Monikie, Murroes, Birkhill; (high schools) Carnoustie, Monifieth and Webster's; and Forfar Academy. 'Firm assurances have been given to us that there will be no impact this week (Tuesday 20 May to Friday 23 May) and we are now urgently looking at alternative provision from Tuesday 27 May (Monday 26 May is an in-service day). 'We will be contacting those entitled to free home to school transport directly via the Group call system today and will update them again on Wednesday 28 May. 'This will affect all users of these school transport services, including those who access the services by either paying a fare, or via the under-22 free travel scheme. Unfortunately, we are unable to contact these people directly. 'Our priority is to ensure the continuous provision of home to school transport and we will provide further updates as soon as they are available. Please monitor our dedicated school transport webpage which will detail the latest information.'
