THE managing director of an independent bus company that runs services across the borough's rural communities has apologised for recent cancellations in service.

Bill Hiron is the man at the helm of Stephensons of Essex and NIBS Buses, which cover subsidised bus routes across Thurrock.

The two companies were recently given something of a stay of execution in Thurrock when local resident kicked up sufficient fuss to force a rethink of Thurrock Council's plans to withdraw services.

Nevertheless, it appears the uncertainty, despite the council postponing its decision to deliver the axe on services, is not helping the companies.

Over recent days across the borough and wider South Essex, a number of services have been postponed at short notice.

Residents in villages such as Bulphan, Orsett, East Tilbury and Fobbing have been left without a service on occasions.

Mr Hiron spoke to Thurrock Nub News today (Friday, 21 April) and said: "The bus industry nationwide is currently suffering from a significant driver shortage for a variety of reasons, and while this has improved slightly over the last few months, there are still bigger problems in some areas than others, and spikes due to sickness absence and other factors.   

"NIBS has not been immune to this problem.

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"We have increased rates by up to 25% over the last 18 months, and we also run our own driver training school to attract new recruits from outside the industry.   

However, the uncertain future of a number of our services operated on behalf of a local authority has also meant planning ahead is challenging.  

"Our goal is to operate all our services in accordance with published timetables, with particular priority given to those at school times.

"Our supervisory team does a good job in minimising disruption to services Today has been a particular problem as we have three drivers absent due to sickness, and due to the underlying shortage, we don't have the spare capacity we would normally allow to cover such eventualities.

"We are working hard to minimise service cancellations, and apologise for any disruption and inconvenience caused to our customers as we recruit and train new team members."

Thurrock Council was invited to comment on the local rural bus service provision but has so far declined to respond.