WORKERS from a bus company set to go into administration have been told their wages will be paid.
Premiere Travel stopped operating at 5pm on Friday after a buyer could not be found.
At a meeting yesterday between employees of Premiere, accountancy and business advice firm RSM Tenon and Jobcentre Plus staff, the 200 workers were told that the Redundancy Payments Office, a Government body which ensures people are paid when companies get into trouble, would cover wages and holiday pay.
Meadow Lane-based Premiere has had most of its routes taken over by other firms.
RSM Tenon worked with Premiere and other parties to try to find a buyer for the company.
Paul Finnity, of RSM Tenon, said: "Premiere's assets are being sold through the orderly wind-down process and it is likely that RSM Tenon will be appointed as administrators later this week.
"We are hoping that Premiere employees will be taken on by the companies which take over the routes which Premiere has been running."
He added: "Premiere is a company which over-traded. It expanded quickly and was under-capitalised.
"It was an excellent business but expanded perhaps too rapidly."
Regular passenger John Cooper, 72, lives in a complex for the elderly in Rochester Avenue, Netherfield.
His bus, the 7.2, is one of the few that have not been replaced by other operators.
He said: "It was only every hour but it's been a lifeline for us.
"I don't suppose it is a profit-making route but it is a much-needed one."
The complex is made up of around 50 bungalows and residents are set to face a long walk for a bus.
Mr Cooper added: "We've effectively got to walk all the way to Morrisons.
"It's a fair walk for people there."
Ashley Jones, 21, of Oakington Close, Bestwood, who worked as yard operator for Premiere, said he had been told the wages would take up to six weeks to be paid.
He added: "The fact that it is going to be up to six weeks is a pain. You've just got to roll with it.
"I'm just going to try to look hard and find another job."
John Allen is a pensioner living in Main Street, Radcliffe-on-Soar and his bus service has been taken over by a competitor.
"On Saturday we were told that the 65 wasn't running.
"I'm pleased to hear we've got the bus service back. Without it, there would be nothing in the village.
"It's a skeleton service but there's not many people using it, so we can't expect too much. We are pleased they stepped in."
