BUS passengers were left stranded and 80 staff made redundant following the collapse of a Bolton transport firm.

Drivers at Maytree Travel were told to return to their depot at Smethurst Lane this afternoon where they were given the shock news shortly after 3pm that the firm had gone into liquidation and they had lost their jobs.

The collapse has thrown bus routes — including school bus services — into chaos, with more than 40 routes axed.

Bosses at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) were locked in emergency talks last night to try to secure new bus companies to take over the routes, with Cllr David Chadwick — the borough’s representative on the TfGM board — saying he was “hopeful” school services would be in place by Monday when pupils return from the Easter break.

Staff had already been warned the firm — which was owned by Manchester Community Transport (MCT) — was in difficulties and would “cease trading” at midnight on Saturday if it could not find a new insurance provider.

Driver Robin Cholerton claimed staff would not be paid this week or for the Bank Holidays — and could face a wait of up to eight weeks to be able to claim back lost wages from the government.

He claims they had been told to drop off their passengers but not pick any more up when they were called in for the announcement.

Mr Cholerton said many of the firm’s routes with no buses and passengers waiting at bus stops.

He added: “As of now I’m unemployed, we were promised we’d be paid for this week but we’re not going to be.

“There was a lot of anger in the meeting.”

Westhoughton South councillor Anna-Marie Watters said she had been “inundated” with calls from residents claiming they had been left stranded because buses had not turned up.

Michael Renshaw, TfGM’s bus and rail Director, said: “Unfortunately passengers should not now expect any Maytree services to run over the weekend.

“We have already issued several tender documents to secure emergency contracts to ensure these services return in the immediate future and we will be assessing bids today to get agreements in place as soon as possible.”