DESPITE the snow bringing most businesses to their knees over the past few weeks, scores of satisfied customers have lined up to thank Thamesdown Transport.

The Swindon bus company has won the praise of a legion of supporters after it managed to keep services on the roads where possible and kept customers up to date with the very latest travel information.

The company’s new website has been deluged with emails of thanks and managing director Paul Jenkins has said it was just a classic case of team work.

He said: “I am grateful to all my staff for the hard work they have put in to keep as many services going as possible in very difficult weather conditions, and I’m delighted that so many of our passengers have taken the trouble and time to comment on our performance.

“This was a classic case of teamwork at its best. We’re grateful to Swindon Borough Council for the role their gritters played in keeping bus routes clear, and to our drivers who doggedly got out there and drove those routes, which then helped grind that grit in and melt the snow for car drivers coming behind.”

Mr Jenkins said that it had not been possible to maintain a service in some of the more rural areas because the minor roads had not been safe for buses.

But he said that the overwhelming positive response had delighted him and his staff.

“Clearly the new website is doing its job in allowing interaction between us and our customers,” he said.

“Now we are able to post any changes to services or timetables immediately, and passengers are able to give us feedback about how we are doing.”

On many of the snow days over the past two weeks, Thamesdown workers got out and about in the town at 4.30am in order to assess the roads and to see which routes may have to be postponed.

Cyril Baker, 77, from Walcot, contacted the Adver to express his surprise and gratitude to the dedicated drivers who helped him out on one of the coldest days this week.

He said: “I was at home when the heating went and the temperatures plummeted.

“I thought I would try and see if I could stay with my daughter over the other end of town, but she could not move her car to get me and I cant drive.

“I thought I would go and see if there were any buses and half expected to come home and shiver on my own – but to my amazement the buses were not only running but more or less on time.

“The drivers are a credit to the company and to the town.”

Other satisfied customer said: “We woke to thick snow and I decided to bus to work in Swindon town centre.

“The bus arrived only a few minutes late and was driven by the driver with extreme care. He was most helpful to a Sainsbury’s lorry driver who was having difficulty.

“I was most impressed that the drivers even got into work.”

Another grateful passenger wrote: “Thanks to all staff for getting me safely to and from work over the past few days in dreadful conditions.

“It is appreciated – thank you.”