MASSIVE cuts have been announced to bus services in Thurrock run by local company Ensign, which has told of the devastation and heartbreak it is going through as the coronavirus wreaks its havoc.

And it has delivered a damning indictment on the government for failing to recognise their plight and offer help.

In a statement this evening (Thursday, 19 March) the company says: "From Monday, 23 March until further notice Ensign will only be able to offer a skeleton service on routes 22, 44, 73A, 99, X80, Z1, Z2 and z4, which will operate daily on an emergency timetable.

"This is without doubt the toughest message we have ever had to put out.

"Yesterday we wrote a timetable that maintained most services, by yesterday evening it was out of date as schools were closed and the government advised against public transport and we lost more and more staff to isolation.

"We had also hoped for government support to help maintain services but as of now none has been forthcoming. Indeed, unlike the retail or restaurant sector there is not even the business rates or tax holidays available to us.

"Thus the choice was complete closure or an even more heavily cut timetable.

"We have chosen the latter, to try and keep our loyal staff in work and help get those, who still need to travel, to get where they need to be and also in the hope that the government will step in and offer something more than loans and interest rate cuts to banks.

"Clearly some people are going to be upset by the loss of certain services and we feel for you and regret the cuts are as deep as they are but hope you will understand we really do have no other choices.

"Clearly even the reduced timetable with 90 per cent less passengers is not sustainable in the long term and without some immediate assistance the next change will be the final withdrawal of even this skeletal timetable.

"To say we are devastated is an understatement. We are a local, family-run business and are staff are both employees, colleagues and friends and that we cannot shield them from this global pandemic is heartbreaking.

"Once again sorry to those of you we are now leaving without a service and please, in these tough times, take care of yourself and one another."

Just two days ago company director Steve Newman has spoken to Thurrock Nub News of the gratitude he felt towards his staff and the company's determination to keep services going.