A TENDRING travel company is closing down after Essex County Council ended its contract for a popular Harwich.

Panther Travel, a family-run bus company that covers Tendring, will be closing as it has no “guaranteed work”. 

This follows the end of its bus contract with Essex County Council for the number two Harwich Route.

Adam and Diane Barham, owners of Panther Travel, said: “We have been operating buses and coaches in the local community for many years but with no guaranteed work after July 27 and increased operating costs unfortunately we have taken the decision to close the business.

“We would like to thank all of our passengers, schools, Essex County Council, local businesses and rail companies we have worked with for their support over the years.

"Also, we would like to thank all of our staff past and present, who have been dedicated in providing in our opinion an excellent service to the local community which will be sadly missed.”

Adam Barham also said that five members of staff could potentially lose their jobs. 

Director - Director - Adam Barham, Director of Panther Travel, with Essex County Councillor Lee Scott (Image: Essex Highways)

The Harwich route will now be run by Hedingham and Chambers. A spokesman said: “We will begin to operate the route from the July 28 and it will become known as route 22.

“There are no changes to the route but passengers will be able to take advantage of the £2 fare single fare on our buses.”

Councillor Ivan Henderson said it was good news to see the route would be continuing albeit with a different operator.

Mr Henderson also said: “It’s a real shame seeing any business close, particularly Panther Travels as I have heard so many good things from bus users".

"They will be missed by regular passengers.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We subsidise about 15 per cent of Essex’s bus network”.

“This is for routes which commercial operators are unable or unwilling to run on their own, but which we consider important for residents’ access to quality public transport.”

The spokesman added: “The majority of contracts for this supported bus network will expire in July 2024 and are reviewed every four years”.

Details about specific routes and operators can be found in the public consultation outcome can be found here local-bus-network-consultation-outcome---july-2024.pdf (travelessex-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com).