Major transport company collapses as most of 76 staff lose jobs in 'life-changing' move

A major travel company in the East Midlands has collapsed, leaving the majority of its 76 workers redundant with immediate effect. Community Transport for Nottingham (CT4N), which runs more than 20 services across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, confirmed its plans to enter administration on Friday.

It blamed the move on "increasingly challenging trading conditions" despite "significant efforts" by its management team, and an approved Company Voluntary Arrangement in October 2025, which allows an insolvent company to pay back a portion of its debts over a fixed period. Nottingham City Transport said it will replace its service 18 route, and it is reviewing replacements for the other services.

CT4N said rising fuel, insurance, maintenance and employment costs, combined with regulatory pressures affecting its operations, placed significant strain on the company's financial and operational viability.

A spokesperson for the firm said: "The Directors have worked with professional advisers to explore all available options. However, after careful consideration, they have concluded that, given the circumstances, the Company has no viable alternative but to take steps to cease trading immediately.

"Unfortunately, as a consequence, the Company has had to announce the immediate redundancy of the majority of its 76 staff and steps are being taken to place the Company formally into Administration."

CT4N traces back to the formation of Nottingham Community Transport in 1979, and it thanked employees, passengers, suppliers and stakeholders for their support over the years.

East Midlands mayor Claire Ward described losing a local bus service as "life-changing" and said the authority was taking the matter seriously.

"Some services have already been replaced by other operators, and we are working at pace with them and other local partners to explore every available option to further minimise disruption and keep communities connected wherever possible," she said.

"I appreciate that for people employed by CT4N in this region, this will be a difficult time, and we will be happy to support people who have lost their jobs by signposting them into EMCCA's relevant employment and skills programmes."