Wales and West Bus Photos

Avon Coaches, Birkenhead

Tue Aug 5 2008

Tuesday 5 August 2008: With depots at Prenton and Bootle, this Wirral operator's services extend north to Liverpool and south to Chester.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Mytton Vale Travel, Stiperstones

Sat Jun 21 2008

Saturday 21 June 2008: Established in 1983, this Shropshire minibus operator expanded into full sized coaches before the founder, D. Rowson, retired in 1999. The business is now run by a relative with a few minibuses continuing to operate from Mytton Dingle in the village of Stiperstones.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Russell's, Wall

Sat Jun 21 2008

Saturday 21 June 2008: The Russell family took over the Ludlow-based Bowline business in June 1990, and initially operated from Ticklerton before moving to Wall, near Church Stretton. The company briefly operated the 435 (Ludlow - Shrewsbury) service following the demise of Shropshire Link in late 2000. Russell's itself ceased trading around two years later.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Travel de Courcey, Coventry

Thu Jun 12 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008: Established with a single coach in 1972, de-regulation provided the opportunity to expand into local bus operation from the mid-1980s. The company is now one of the leading bus and coach operators in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

One of Bill's, West Bromwich

Thu Jun 12 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008: Owned by Bill Whittaker, this West Midlands coach operator also specialises in special events vehicles, including two unusual open-top minibuses.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Midland Glowbelle, West Bromwich

Thu Jun 12 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008: This smart fleet of coaches and contract vehicles can often be seen on rail replacement work in the West Midlands.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Khokhar, Smethwick

Thu Jun 12 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008: This operator could be found competing with Travel West Midlands on the Birmingham to Solihull corridor, amongst others, in 2002.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Zara Travel, Halesowen

Thu Jun 12 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008: This operation was established by a former Travel West Midlands employee in 2004. Vehicles can regularly be seen on rail replacement work and seasonal services from the West Midlands conurbation to Alton Towers are also provided.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Zak's, Great Barr

Thu Jun 12 2008

Thursday 12 June 2008: This West Midlands independent was founded by Kevin Fazakerley in 1978. By the late 1990s it operated a fairly substantial network of local bus services in the conurbation, many of them under contract to Centro. In October 2006 the business was acquired by Alternative Investment Market-listed Rotala, who has rebranded it CentralConnect.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Vals Classic Coaches, Chase Terrace

Sun Jun 8 2008

Sunday 8 June 2008: Besides a preserved fleet, Bedford enthusiast Paul Emery also operates a few vehicles on school contracts in south Staffordshire.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Via Travel, Shavington

Mon Jun 2 2008

Monday 2 June 2008: This Cheshire independent shares a Crewe town service with D&G of Longton.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Scragg's, Bucknall

Mon Jun 2 2008

Monday 2 June 2008: This Staffordshire operator provides stage services from Hanley to Abbey Hulton and Werrington under the guise of 'Blue Buses'. Interest is added to the fleet of Mercedes minibuses in that many have been rebuilt with later Vario-style fronts.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Best Bus, Crewe

Mon Jun 2 2008

Monday 2 June 2008: This smart new operation took over two circular routes connecting Crewe and Nantwich from Arriva North West in March. The initial fleet includes several ex-ChesterBus Darts.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Lofty's, Bridge Trafford (Updated 6th August 2008)

Mon Jun 2 2008

Monday 2 June 2008: This independent provided several contract services in Chester and on the Wirral following deregulation, mainly with minibuses. Operations ceased in the mid-1990s.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Fisher, Bronington

Mon Jun 2 2008

Monday 2 June 2008: This long established operator is based just on the Welsh side of the border with Shropshire. Market day runs from Bronington to Shrewsbury, Whitchurch and Wrexham, together with a Whitchurch - Oswestry service, were for many years the core of the business. A service between Whitchurch and Chester was also operated under contract to Cheshire County Council following deregulation. The company is now owned by Happy Days of Woodseaves, Stafford, whose name appears on the vehicles.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Launceston Car Hire, Launceston

Sun May 18 2008

Sunday 18 May 2008: Owned by Raymond Dinner, this Cornish operator could be found providing a Launceston town service (possibly replacing facilities withdrawn by North Cornwall Cars?) during the 1980s. In 1984 an office was opened in the White Hart Arcade in the town centre, whilst a new address at Scarne Industrial Estate was notified in October 1986.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Tally Ho!, Kingsbridge

Sun May 18 2008

Sunday 18 May 2008: Originally a small coach company based in East Allington, this Devon independent was another to benefit from Western National's 1971 cutbacks. It was then that Tally Ho! relocated to Kingsbridge, continuing to expand through the acquisition of several other local operators to become the principal stage carriage operator in the area. Probably best known for its longstanding enthusiasm for vehicles of Bristol manufacture (in particular the LH), the company now operates a more modern fleet.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Mounts Bay Coaches, Penzance

Sun May 18 2008

Sunday 18 May 2008: A small Cornish fleet of coaches and contract vehicles.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Midway Motors, Crymych

Sun May 4 2008

Sunday 4 May 2008: This southwest Wales independent was established by William Stanley Rees to acquire the established operator Edwards and the Midway Garage in 1959. Still owned by the Rees family, infrequent stage carriage services are provided to Cardigan, Haverfordwest and Carmarthen. Of particular interest, however, are the extensive premises at Crymych which remain home to a large number of withdrawn vehicles in various degrees of dereliction.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Richards Bros, Cardigan

Sun May 4 2008

Sunday 4 May 2008: This west Wales independent evolved from a haulage business, acquiring its first bus in 1943 to transport construction workers. The take-over of Owen Williams of Cardigan in 1958 provided the company with its first stage carriage service, with the network expanding in the early 1970s following retrenchment by Western Welsh and Crosville. The main road services between Cardigan, Fishguard, Haverfordwest and St. Davids form the basis of Richards' network today.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Lewis, Rhydlewis

Sun May 4 2008

Sunday 4 May 2008: Another sizeable fleet of coaches and contract vehicles based in the county of Ceredigion, this operator acquired the business of Emlyn Coaches, Newcastle Emlyn in 1995.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Evans, Tregaron

Sun May 4 2008

Sunday 4 May 2008: This Ceredigion independent provides an infrequent service to Aberystwyth, alongside school contracts and coaching activities.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

James Brothers, Llangeitho

Sun May 4 2008

Sunday 4 May 2008: A fleet of coaches and contract vehicles based near Tregaron in Ceredigion.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Helms Coaches, Bootle (Updated 6th August 2008)

Tue Apr 22 2008

Tuesday 22 April 2008: This operator shares its registered address with parent company Aintree Coachline of Bootle, though has a separate operating centre in Eastham. It has recently secured several services into Chester which were withdrawn by First following its acquisition of Chester City Transport. Ironically, a number of former Chester vehicles feature in this varied fleet.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Liverpool Motor Services, Aintree

Tue Apr 22 2008

Tuesday 22 April 2008: This Merseyside independent, owned by Dave Forrest, competed with Arriva North West on several city services in Liverpool before its closure in 2004.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Maghull Coaches, Bootle

Tue Apr 22 2008

Tuesday 22 April 2008: Besides traditional coaching activities, this operator specialises in guided sightseeing tours of Liverpool.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

School Transport Company, Widnes

Tue Apr 22 2008

Tuesday 22 April 2008: This fleet of contract vehicles came to the rescue at the 2003 Llandudno Transport Festival after a number of preserved buses which were scheduled to operate a shuttle service got stuck on the rally field following heavy rain! The business is owned by H. & J. Walsh and also trades as Regent Travel.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Williams, Porthmadog (Updated 30th April 2008)

Fri Apr 11 2008

Friday 11 April 2008: Initially trading as Williams of Criccieth, this relative newcomer operates minibuses on a number of tendered services in the Porthmadog area.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Williams, Llangollen

Sun Mar 23 2008

Sunday 23 March 2008: A seemingly little documented operator active in the north Wales market town of Llangollen during the 1970s. If anyone can add any information please contact me via the 'Leave a Message' tab on the left-hand side of the index page.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

King Offa, Westbury (Updated 31st July 2008)

Sat Feb 9 2008

Saturday 9 February 2008: Named after the Anglo-Saxon King of Mercia, this short-lived independent operated a number of services across central Shropshire before going into liquidation in 1996. Routes included Shrewsbury to Welshpool via the back roads through Westbury, a Shrewsbury town service to Reabrook estate which was sold to Midland Red North in 1992 along with three Sherpa minibuses, and a County Council-supported service between Wellington and Telford for which a new Dennis Dart was purchased.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Courtesy Travel, Shrewsbury

Sat Feb 9 2008

Saturday 9 February 2008: Owned by W. J. Amies, this small private hire business operated a Shropshire County Council contract service between Shrewsbury and Llanymynech for several years in the early 1990s.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Rhiew Valley Motors, Berriew

Sun Feb 3 2008

Sunday 3 February 2008: A smart fleet of contract vehicles operating in mid-Wales. The business of Harry Evans of Welshpool was taken over in 2005.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

M&H Coaches, Denbigh

Fri Feb 1 2008

Friday 1 February 2008: This north Wales independent operates a number of services in the Vale of Clwyd, extending as far north as Rhyl. Many routes are operated under contract to Denbighshire County Council, with vehicles carrying the corporate 'Vale Rider' identity.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Rogers Coaches, Graigfechan

Fri Feb 1 2008

Friday 1 February 2008: A surviving example of the once ubiquitous rural bus operator, Rogers run a smart, predominantly light-weight fleet on contract work in the Vale of Clwyd.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Morris (T. R.), Llanfyllin

Sun Dec 30 2007

Sunday 30 December 2007: This Powys independent operated a market day service into Oswestry for many years before finally selling out to the neighbouring Tanat Valley business (see separate collection below) in 2000.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

MC Coaches, Breage

Sun Dec 2 2007

Sunday 2 December 2007: A small fleet of contract vehicles based near Helston in Cornwall.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Enterprise Boats, Falmouth

Sun Dec 2 2007

Sunday 2 December 2007: This company operates a seasonal ferry service along the River Fal between Falmouth and Truro. When tidal conditions prevent landing at the town quay in Truro a dedicated 'River-Link' bus service is provided from the waterside village of Malpas.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Royce Coaches / Economy Coach Hire, Wrexham (Updated 1st February 2008)

Sat Nov 24 2007

Saturday 24 November 2007: Royce Coaches was established by Roy Chard in 1973, initially as a taxi/minibus operator. At its peak the business operated seven vehicles and several stage carriage services in and around Wrexham. These included routes to Brynteg, Pentre Broughton, Llangollen and, on Sundays, Minera. Later, Roy's two sons assisted with the business but after Roy's death in 1990 founded their own company which traded as Economy Coach Hire. A few of Royce's stage services were continued, but operations ceased completely in June 1991.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

J. O. Travel, Ponciau

Sat Nov 24 2007

Saturday 24 November 2007: In 2004 the long established business of T. Williams & Sons, Ponciau (see separate collection below) was sold to Ivor Jones, who now trades as J. O. Travel. Williams had ceased stage carriage work some years previously.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

South West Coaches, Wincanton

Fri Nov 16 2007

Friday 16 November 2007: South West Coaches Ltd was formed in 2000 to acquire the long-established Wake's of Sparkford business from its previous owners. It also absorbed the Yeovil-based Hulbertson & Sons fleet of minibuses at around the same time. A varied fleet is now employed on an extensive network in and around Yeovil, including a replacement commercial service to South Petherton introduced after fellow Somerset independent Safeway Services ceased stage carriage operations earlier this year. Safeway's remaining bus fleet was also acquired.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Nippy Bus, Martock

Fri Nov 16 2007

Friday 16 November 2007: This relative newcomer to the Somerset bus scene has commenced several services in and around Yeovil in competition with other local operators. Indeed an hourly service to South Petherton introduced in December 2006 was the final nail in the coffin for long-established Safeway Services (see separate collection below), who subsequently withdrew from stage carriage work.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Safeway Services, South Petherton

Fri Nov 16 2007

Friday 16 November 2007: This well-respected Somerset independent was founded by Mr. G. Gunn in 1928 with a stage service between Yeovil and South Petherton via Crewkerne. In 1979 Hutchings & Cornelius Services, also of South Petherton, ceased trading and services between Crewkerne, South Petherton and Yeovil via Norton Sub Hamdon, Stoke Sub Hamdon and Montacute were taken over by Safeway along with four vehicles. Sadly the company's recent history is one of decline in the face of declining rural patronage and increased competition, the remaining stage service and last three service buses having passed to South West Coaches (see separate collection below) earlier this year. However, a few coaches are retained and these are garaged at nearby Lopen.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Craven Arms Coaches, Abcott (Updated 2nd February 2008)

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sunday 11 November 2007: Originally a taxi operator, this business is owned by Thomas Newton and employs a varied fleet on school contracts and private hire work in south Shropshire.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Yeomans Canyon Travel, Hereford

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sunday 11 November 2007: Established in 1920 using a converted cider lorry, Yeomans expanded rapidly through the acquisition of services from Midland Red and Crosville, together with the W. A. Thomas business of Bishops Castle, Shropshire. Over the years the Yeomans business underwent several changes in structure, with coaching activities hived off to a separate company, Canyon Travel Ltd, in 1971 but subsequently reunited again under the present Yeomans Canyon Travel banner. In 1974 the firm became the largest independent operator of stage services in Herefordshire through the acquisition of Wye Valley Motors, and is now the parent company of Lugg Valley Primrose, Leominster (see separate collection above).

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Lugg Valley Primrose, Leominster

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sunday 11 November 2007: Lugg Valley Motors commenced operations in 1959, concentrating initially on contract and private hire work before a Hereford to Leominster service licence was acquired from Hereford-based Yeomans Canyon Travel in 1975. During the 1990s Lugg Valley merged with another, much older Leominster independent, Primrose Motor Services, to form Lugg Valley Primrose. Ironically now a subsidiary of Yeomans Canyon Travel (see separate collection below), the company operates a network of tendered services in conjunction with Herefordshire Council.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

R&B Travel, Knowle (Updated 21st June 2008)

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sunday 11 November 2007: Established around 1991, this south Shropshire independent operates a number of school contracts and town services in and around Ludlow. In addition, some rural services now reach Kidderminster and Hereford.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Whittle, Highley

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sunday 11 November 2007: The Whittle business originated in the Shropshire mining village of Highley in 1926 with a pony and trap, and later a Model T Ford bus, on a service to Bridgnorth. Operations expanded considerably over the years through the acquisition of other local businesses, including M&M of Cleobury Mortimer in 1964 and Corvedale of Ludlow in 1969, the latter deal including sizeable premises in this south Shropshire market town. The head office moved to Kidderminster in Worcestershire in 1984 by which time the firm traded as 'Go Whittle', though the 'Go' prefix was later dropped. In 2004 the business was sold to the Hull-based East Yorkshire Motor Services Group upon the retirement of Ron Whittle, and the Ludlow depot is to close imminently.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Boultons, Cardington (Updated 31st July 2008)

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sunday 11 November 2007: This Shropshire independent commenced operations between Cardington and Church Stretton in 1919, later adding a Shrewsbury service and various school contracts. Two neighbouring operators were acquired in the 1950s, and prior to deregulation no fewer than 35 services were registered, though 10 of these were subsequently cancelled without operation. The business is still owned by the Boulton family today, and several preserved vehicles are retained for special events.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Trailways, Bloxwich

Sun Oct 28 2007

Sunday 28 October 2007: Ron Faherty commenced trading as RSF Coaches in 1964. Based initially in Sutton Coldfield, the business was renamed Trailways and relocated several times before settling on the current premises in 1998. Coaching activities ceased shortly after, though operation of a stage carriage service to a private school in Edgbaston continued. This was finally abandoned after four decades in July 2007, and the company now concentrates on vehicle repairs and renovation work.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Burman Travel, Dordon

Sun Oct 28 2007

Sunday 28 October 2007: Burman commenced operations in 1984 following the acquisition of the Hodnett of Tamworth business. In addition to commercial and tendered services in Warwickshire, by the early 1990s operations also encroached into the West Midlands conurbation under the 'Burman City Travel' banner.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Carreglefn Coaches, Carreglefn

Sun Oct 14 2007

Sunday 14 October 2007: This small, long-established concern operates tours, school contracts and private hire work from its base in north Anglesey.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Cornishman Coaches, Newquay

Sun Sep 30 2007

Sunday 30 September 2007: Also trading as Barry Gill Motors, this Cornish fleet was garaged at Trevilling Quay, Wadebridge. Besides coaching activities and contracts a service between Newquay and Truro was in operation by the mid-1990s. The business was sold to Western Greyhound in December 1997 upon the retirement of the owner.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

River Link, Dartmouth

Sun Sep 30 2007

Sunday 30 September 2007: River Link is the trading name of Dart Pleasure Craft and is owned by the Dart Valley Railway. Steam trains are complemented by ferry boats operating between Kingswear and Dartmouth and, since April 2000, dedicated open-top bus connections between Paignton and Totnes to provide a unique tri-modal circular service. A contract service to Brixham Community College is also operated.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Midland Red (North) / Arriva Midlands North, Cannock

Sun Sep 23 2007

Sunday 23 September 2007: NBC subsidiary Midland Red was split into four in 1981 in anticipation of privatisation. The Shropshire and Staffordshire operations passed to Midland Red North, which was sold to the Drawlane group in 1988. Expansion came with the demise of Crosville in Crewe and north Cheshire, and with the transfer of Crosville Wales' Oswestry depot and Abermule outstation in 1991. Drawlane evolved into British Bus PLC, which sold out to the Cowie Group in 1996. Cowie was restyled 'Arriva' in 1997, with Midland Red North becoming Arriva Midlands North. The 'North' was dropped following amalgamation with the former Midland Fox and Derby City operations which are also owned by Arriva.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Crosville (Wales) / Arriva Cymru, Llandudno Junction

Sun Sep 23 2007

Sunday 23 September 2007: The Crosville Motor Company launched its first bus service in 1911 between Chester and Ellesmere Port, subsequently becoming the dominant, state-owned operator across much of Cheshire and north and mid-Wales. In 1986 the company was split in two in preparation for privatisation, with Crosville Wales assuming responsibility for the Welsh operations. Following a string of ownership changes it eventually became Arriva Cymru, and is now controlled from Liverpool as part of Arriva North West. This collection also includes some earlier photographs from NBC days prior to the split, but focussing on the Welsh operations.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Eagles & Crawford, Mold

Sun Sep 2 2007

Sunday 2 September 2007: Having evolved from a taxi firm into a minibus operator in 1962, William Crawford and his stepson John Eagles diversified into full-sized bus operation in 1970. Various tendered services have been operated in northeast Wales since the mid-1980s, though the present business emphasis is on school contracts and coach work.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Midland Classic, Swadlincote (Updated 8th June 2008)

Wed Aug 22 2007

Wednesday 22 August 2007: Established in 2005, this Derbyshire independent concentrated initially on the private hire and special events market with a pair of London Routemasters. In 2006, however, a stage service to Burton was introduced to replace a facility withdrawn by Arriva some years previously. In addition a number of services are operated under contract to Derbyshire and Leicestershire County Councils. A fascinating fleet is maintained, with several vehicles having connections to the former Stevensons of Uttoxeter operation which was incorporated into the Arriva fleet in the late 1990s.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

P&P Coaches, Middletown (Updated 21st June 2008)

Mon Aug 20 2007

Monday 20 August 2007: P&P Coaches is the trading name of Open Stage Ltd, based just on the Welsh side of the Powys / Shropshire border and set up in 2007 to acquire a substantial part of the Worthen Travel business (see separate collection below). The deal included operation of service 558 (Montgomery - Shrewsbury).

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Beadles Travel, Newtown (Updated 3rd February 2008)

Sat Jul 21 2007

Saturday 21 July 2007: This mid-Wales operator merged with Mid Wales Motorways (see separate collection below) in 1983, but continued to trade as a separate entity and regained its independence in the 1990s. Besides coaching activities there were regular shopping services from Newtown to Shrewsbury and Wrexham. Latterly some vehicles also carried 'Brenda's Travel' fleet names in honour of the proprietor's wife, though the business has recently been taken on by a former driver under the name 'Red Dragon Group Travel'.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Central Travel, Newtown

Sat Jul 21 2007

Saturday 21 July 2007: Owned by Richard Bowen, this operator employs a small fleet on school contracts and private hire in mid-Wales.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Emma's Coaches, Dolgellau (Updated 11th April 2008)

Sat Jul 21 2007

Saturday 21 July 2007: Besides coach work and school contracts, this relative newcomer to the Gwynedd bus scene operates a late night service from Dolgellau to Barmouth every weekend using a former Crosville Leyland National.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

North Cornwall Cars, Langdon Cross (Updated 18th May 2008)

Thu Jul 12 2007

Thursday 12 July 2007: Operations commenced at Stratton near Bude in 1973, transferring to the Langdon Cross base of W. R. Curtis upon the acquisition of that business the following year. The take-over also included a stage service between North Petherwin and Launceston, which had replaced a facility withdrawn by Western National in 1971. Subsequent registrations included a Bude circular service and various routes radiating from the Pennygillam Industrial Estate in Launceston. The latter were withdrawn following the closure of the Marathon clothing factory in 1980 and operations appear to have ceased completely towards the end of that decade.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Webber, Blisland (and Group Travel, Bodmin) (Updated 18th May 2008)

Thu Jul 12 2007

Thursday 12 July 2007: Founded in the 1920s, Webbers concentrated on school contracts and coaching activities before Western National_s retrenchment from much of north Cornwall in 1971 presented the opportunity to commence stage carriage services. Further service work was gained from Willis of Bodmin and Rowe of Dobwalls later that decade, the latter also bringing a second base near Liskeard. In recent years the business has adopted the trading style _Group Travel_ and is now registered as Moon and Benny Ltd, although Webber family members are still believed to be involved. A premises in Bodmin is now the sole operating centre, with the current service network focussing on Launceston under contract to Cornwall County Council.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Hopley's, Mount Hawke

Thu Jul 12 2007

Thursday 12 July 2007: This Cornish independent has for a number of years operated a service into Truro from the villages between St. Agnes and Redruth, a facility previously provided by Carter Brothers.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Wheal Briton, Blackwater

Thu Jul 12 2007

Thursday 12 July 2007: Named after an historic tin mine near Truro, this Cornish independent was established by Charles Palmer in 1981. By the mid-1990s a regular shopping service between Camborne and Truro was operated alongside school contracts and coaching activities. More recently the business changed hands, only to cease trading in December 2005.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Horrocks, Brockton (Updated 31st July 2008)

Mon Jul 2 2007

Monday 2 July 2007: Based near Bishops Castle in Shropshire, Horrocks was established in 1989 with an initial fleet consisting primarily of vehicles acquired from the former Trefaldwyn operation of nearby Montgomery. The business has expanded primarily through the securing of school contracts, though various Shropshire County Council tendered stage services have also been operated over the years and the company has benefitted recently from Whittle's withdrawal from Ludlow. Most vehicles retain their previous owners' liveries.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Birch Travel, Baschurch (Updated 21st June 2008)

Mon Jul 2 2007

Monday 2 July 2007: Founded in 2000, this north Shropshire independent operates a small fleet of coaches on school contracts and private hire charters. The operating centre was relocated to Pentre, Nesscliffe last year.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Golden Line Buses, Willenhall

Fri Jun 15 2007

Friday 15 June 2007: Another operator of the ubiquitous Carlyle-bodied Dart in the West Midlands conurbation, Golden Line is owned by Kaka Singh and has routes in Walsall, Birmingham and Solihull.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Star Bus Service, Bilston

Fri Jun 15 2007

Friday 15 June 2007: Operating from a premises in Smethwick, Nazar Singh began short workings between Oldbury and Birmingham on service 120 in 2005. The fleet consists primarily of ex-Rossendale Darts which retain their previous owner's 'Handyrider' midi-bus livery, as do similar vehicles in several other West Midlands fleets!

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Bull Ring Travel, West Bromwich

Fri Jun 15 2007

Friday 15 June 2007: This reincarnation of the failed East-West Travel business (see separate collection below) could be found operating on route 61 to Gannow Green in late 2006. In recent months, however, the company has gone the same way as its predecessor, having been closed down by the traffic commissioner.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Cityspeed Travel, West Bromwich

Fri Jun 15 2007

Friday 15 June 2007: Another short-lived independent which operated alongside Travel West Midlands on several routes into central Birmingham. In 2001 the owner, S. Ryder, moved to Cornwall and established the 'Summercourt Travel' business (see separate collection below).

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Bus 4 U (Kaur), Smethwick

Fri Jun 15 2007

Friday 15 June 2007: This short-lived operation was one of a long list of independents past and present which have attempted to challenge the supremacy of Travel West Midlands on the busy Stratford Road corridor between Birmingham and Solihull. Bus 4 U appears to have faded from the scene around 2003, though there would seem to be connections with the Sunrise Travel business which serves the same route today (see separate collection below).

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Chaloner's, Moss

Tue Jun 12 2007

Tuesday 12 June 2007: Tim Chaloner began a service between Wrexham town centre and the Moss Hill suburb in the early 1930s. This was later extended to Summerhill, and continued to be operated by the Chaloner family until 2003 when the business was sold to GHA Coaches (see separate collection below). As an independent Chaloner's was always a single vehicle operation, though under GHA ownership the name has been applied to two buses and the service frequency increased.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Midland Rider, West Bromwich (Updated 12th June 2008)

Sat May 26 2007

Saturday 26 May 2007: This independent competes with Travel West Midlands on several busy corridors into Birmingham city centre, also holding a number of Centro contracts.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Tame Valley, Birmingham

Sat May 26 2007

Saturday 26 May 2007: Another independent which challenged West Midlands Travel on Birmingham local routes and Centro contracts before selling out to the dominant operator in 1992.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Serveverse, Tamworth (Updated 28th October 2007)

Fri May 25 2007

Friday 25 May 2007: Serververse began competing with West Midlands Travel on Birmingham local services between the city centre and Chelmsley Wood in 1992. Some vehicles carried an abridged fleet name of 'Serverse'. Operations had ceased by 2000.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Bartley, Selattyn (Updated 11th November 2007)

Thu May 24 2007

Thursday 24 May 2007: This small Shropshire independent based on the border between England and Wales was established in 1926, and for many years ran a shopping service into the town of Oswestry on market day. The company finally ceased trading in 1999.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Lakeside, Ellesmere

Thu May 24 2007

Thursday 24 May 2007: Established in 1968 by C. E. Bolland, the business passed to the present owner, J. R. Davies, in 1980. Today Lakeside operate a smart fleet of coaches from a modern premises on the outskirts of Ellesmere in north Shropshire, with duties including a town service on market days.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Clwydian Tours, Pentre Llanrhaeadr

Wed May 23 2007

Wednesday 23 May 2007: This long established Denbighshire independent, which also traded as Peter Evans & Son, undertook a variety of contract and coach work before selling out to Alpine of Llandudno earlier this year.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Gwalia Coaches, Llandudno (Updated 1st February 2008)

Wed May 23 2007

Wednesday 23 May 2007: This north Wales independent was acquired by Shearings in 1990 during the group's brief flirtation with bus operation in various locations across England and Wales following deregulation. Shearings continued the Gwalia name, but sold its north Wales interests to another local independent, Empire Goldstar (see separate collection listed under 'Gold Star'), in 1992.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Gold Star / Empire Goldstar, St. Asaph & Llandudno Junction (Updated 1st February 2008)

Wed May 23 2007

Wednesday 23 May 2007: Having previously run the Gold Star International business based in St. Asaph, local holiday camp owner Oswald Blythin acquired Shearings' north Wales bus operations in 1992, subsequently adopting the trading name 'Empire Goldstar' and relocating to premises in Llandudno Junction. The company sold out to Alpine of Llandudno in 1996.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Alpine, Llandudno (Updated 11th April 2008)

Tue May 22 2007

Tuesday 22 May 2007: The Hughes brothers' business has developed from its humble beginnings with a horse and cart into one of north Wales' largest coach operators. Deregulation saw the company expand into local service work with a mixture of tendered and commercial routes, although the latter were sold to Crosville Wales in 1995. Alpine continues to operate contract services and open-top and vintage tours of Llandudno, alongside its coaching activities. The latter have been expanded through the acquisition of several other local operators including Royal Red (1987), Creams (1990) and Clwydian Tours of Pentre Llanrhaeadr (2007).

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

St. Ives Bus Company, St. Ives (Updated 2nd December 2007)

Tue Apr 24 2007

Tuesday 24 April 2007: Previously trading as the St. Ives Midi Bus Company, proprietor J. Stevens has recently dropped the word 'Midi' in order to reflect the use of increasingly large vehicles on park and ride services at this busy Cornish resort. These duties are shared with another local independent, N. A. Eastwood (see above). A St. Ives local service is also provided.

Published in Wales and West Bus Photos

Stratford Blue, Stratford-upon-Avon (Updated 16th June 2007)

Wed Apr 18 2007

Wednesday 18 April 2007: The historic Stratford Blue name was revived by Newmark Coaches in 1999 for the operation of routes retrenched by Stagecoach with the closure of its depot in the town. Newmark became part of the Status group the following year but ceased trading in 2001. Ensignbus then bought the Stratford Blue name and used it to start its City Sightseeing operation in the town, consolidating its position with the acquisition of Guide Friday in 2002. However, the wheel has recently turned full circle with the acquisition of Ensignbus' Stratford operation, including its former garage on Avenue Farm Industrial Estate!

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RAI Transport, Handsworth (Updated 26th May 2007)

Wed Apr 18 2007

Wednesday 18 April 2007: Operating from the former Flights depot on Soho Road, Handsworth and trading initially as both Bharat Coach Travel and Red Arrow Express, this independent competed with Travel West Midlands on services between Birmingham and the city's eastern suburbs before falling foul of the traffic commissioner in 2005. Since then, however, many of its assets have been transferred to a new, related business under the name of Travel Ride.

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Pat's Coaches, New Broughton (Updated 22nd April 2008)

Tue Apr 17 2007

Tuesday 17 April 2007: Pat's Coaches was founded by David and Patricia Davies in 1977, initially operating a single minibus on a Clwyd County Council special schools contract. The business has since undergone considerable expansion and is now involved in continental tours, private hire work, school and works contracts and a Wrexham town service. Operations are believed to be moving to the former Hanmer's Coaches depot in nearby Southsea shortly.

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Williams (T. Williams & Sons), Ponciau (Updated 6th August 2008)

Tue Apr 17 2007

Tuesday 17 April 2007: Tommy Williams commenced a taxi service between Wrexham and Rhosllanerchrugog in the early 1920s, expanding into bus operation later in the decade. Competition along this corridor was fierce, with Crosville, Phillips and Wrights also operating the same route. The business later passed to Tommy's son, who pulled out of the stage carriage service shortly after deregulation to concentrate on school contracts and private hire. In 2004 the business was sold out of the Williams family, and now trades as J. O. Travel (see separate collection above).

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Williams, Deiniolen (Updated 14th October 2007)

Sun Feb 11 2007

Sunday 11 February 2007: Coach operator Ieuan Williams branched out into stage carriage work following deregulation, with services 76 (Dinorwic - Bangor) and 77 (Bangor - Llanberis) forming part of the County Council's 'Bws Gwynedd' network. The service operations were sold to Arriva Cymru in 1999, allowing Williams to refocus on coaching activities and school contracts.

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Williams, Llithfaen

Sun Feb 11 2007

Sunday 11 February 2007: This small operation provided a service between Llithfaen and Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula for some 75 years before finally selling out to neighbouring Nefyn Coaches in 2000.

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Owens (D. P.), Rhiwlas

Sun Feb 11 2007

Sunday 11 February 2007: An extraordinary collection of unusual and unique types employed on school contracts and private hire work from a base near Bangor in Gwynedd.

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KMP, Llanberis

Sun Feb 11 2007

Sunday 11 February 2007: Ken Williams established KMP in 1978, naming the business with the initials of his three daughters. Initially concentrating on coaching activities, following deregulation several stage services were awarded by Gwynedd County Council, including the 88 into Caernarfon. The company also held a contract to transport visitors within the Dinorwic Power Station in the late 1980s, using a fleet of Optare City Pacers painted in National Grid green. More recently a commercial service linking Llandudno and Holyhead has been introduced (since truncated at Llangefni), requiring six Wright Eclipse Urban-bodied Volvo B7RLEs bought new.

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Pete's Travel, West Bromwich

Sun Jan 28 2007

Sunday 28 January 2007: Operations began in 1993 with minibuses working route 404 between Walsall and West Bromwich. Subsequent expansion brought full-size vehicles and a route network stretching as far west as Shrewsbury in Shropshire, the Telford-based Britannia Travel business also being aqcuired in 2002. In latter years the fleet was re-branded People's Express before selling out to the Go-Ahead Group in 2006. Since then operations have been merged with those of the former Birmingham Coach Company under the 'Diamond' brand - see separate collection above.

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Chase Bus Services, Chasetown (Updated 8th June 2008)

Sun Jan 28 2007

Sunday 28 January 2007: This Staffordshire independent evolved from a taxi firm which diversified into coaches in the 1970s. Post-deregulation it held a number of Staffordshire County Council contracts before turning to commercial services within the West Midlands conurbation, with operations centring on Cannock, Walsall, Bloxwich and Wolverhampton. In March 2007 the business was taken over by Arriva Midlands, though surprisingly several of the extensive fleet of Leyland Nationals received partial repaints into corporate colours before the company's assets were auctioned off in May.

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A2Z Travel, Walsall (Updated 12th June 2008)

Sun Jan 28 2007

Sunday 28 January 2007: This West Midlands coach operator has in recent years broken into stage carriage work with the registration of a network centred on Walsall in competition with Travel West Midlands. Services also now extend to Birmingham and Wolverhampton, with some operated under contract to Centro, the West Midlands tendering authority.

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Procters, Fenton (Updated 2nd June 2008)

Sun Jan 21 2007

Sunday 21 January 2007: Procters is the sole surviving pre-deregulation north Staffordshire independent still running stage services, having operated service 16 (Hanley - Leek) from 1922 to the present day.

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Knotty, Chesterton (Updated 8th June 2008)

Sun Jan 21 2007

Sunday 21 January 2007: Established in 1988 and named after the North Staffordshire Railway (which used the Staffordshire knot as its emblem), this operator was renowned for its unusual, AEC-dominated fleet employed on a mixture of tendered and commercial work around the Potteries, as well as on private hires. Many of its vehicles survive in preservation.

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Aimee's, Leek

Sun Jan 21 2007

Sunday 21 January 2007: This operator provides tendered services in the Leek and Cheadle areas of Staffordshire, alongside school contracts and coaching activities. Under common ownership is the associated 'Taxico' business.

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Bennett's Travel, Cranberry

Sun Jan 21 2007

Sunday 21 January 2007: This Staffordshire independent operates a number of tendered services in east Shropshire alongside school contracts and private hire.

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Moorland Buses, Werrington

Sun Jan 21 2007

Sunday 21 January 2007: Established in 1988 and trading initially as Moorland Rover, G. V. Shaw ran a fleet of Freight Rover Sherpa minibuses on services from Newcastle-under-Lyme to Coalville and Stoke/Hanley. The company ceased trading in 2004.

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D & G, Longton (Updated 2nd June 2008)

Sun Jan 21 2007

Sunday 21 January 2007: This post-deregulation minibus operator has expanded into full-size bus operation with a mixture of tendered and commercial stage service work in and around Stoke-on-Trent and southeast Cheshire. Some vehicles wear Stoke City Council's white, blue and red 'Cityrider' identity. In 2005 it acquired Choice Travel of Wednesfield in the West Midlands.

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U. K. North, Gorton

Thu Jan 11 2007

Thursday 11 January 2007: This independent competes with Stagecoach on corridors in South Manchester, and has even cheekily revived the _GM Buses_ name used originally by the privatised Greater Manchester PTE, of which Stagecoach Manchester is a descendent, as a trading style on some services. Presently, however, the company_s future is uncertain following the suspension of its licence by the traffic commissioner in December 2006 pending an investigation into safety issues.

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Blue Bus, Horwich

Thu Jan 11 2007

Thursday 11 January 2007: Established in 1991 by two former Shearings employees, Blue Bus became the largest independent in Greater Manchester, ultimately taking over the Blazefield group_s Bolton operations and depot in 2002. In 2005, however, Blue Bus sold out to Arriva, although owner Roger Jarvis retained the licence and later revived the Blue Bus name for an operation in Lancashire.

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Bluebird, Middleton

Thu Jan 11 2007

Thursday 11 January 2007: Bluebird Bus & Coach was acquired by the Dunstan family in 1988, and since then a switch in company activity has seen the development of a network of local bus services radiating from the city centre into north Manchester.

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Hulme Hall, Cheadle Hulme

Thu Jan 11 2007

Thursday 11 January 2007: As well as providing transport to the Hulme Hall Grammar School by whom the company is owned, this business has diversified into other school contracts and private hire work in south Manchester and north Cheshire. It also dabbled briefly in stage carriage work with the short-lived operation during 2006 of service 379 between Poynton and Manchester Airport.

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Cooksons, Welshpool (Updated 3rd February 2008)

Sat Jan 6 2007

Saturday 6 January 2007: This relative newcomer has quickly established a presence on Powys County Council school contracts and the local private hire market with a fleet of around ten coaches garaged at Hope, just outside Welshpool.

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Celtic Travel, Llanidloes (Updated 30th April 2008)

Sat Jan 6 2007

Saturday 6 January 2007: This long established mid-Wales coach company was taken over by local businessman William Davies in 2006. It operates day excursions, holiday tours and school contracts.

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Sargeants, Kington

Sat Jan 6 2007

Saturday 6 January 2007: Based just on the English side of the border between Herefordshire and Powys, this old established independent operates the trunk route between Hereford and Llandrindod Wells alongside school contracts and private hire work. In recent years the fleet has undergone substantial modernisation, with a variety of Optare products ousting the traditionally favoured Bedford marque.

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Browns, Builth Wells (Updated 3rd February 2008)

Sat Jan 6 2007

Saturday 6 January 2007: This rural operator has held various Powys County Council contract services across mid Wales since deregulation, and at one time its vehicles could be seen as far afield as Aberystwyth, Newtown and Abergavenny. Of particular note is the number of redundant vehicles stored at its two depots at Hundred House and Llanfechan, many of which have never seen active use with the company.

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Lewis, Llangeitho (Updated 4th May 2008)

Fri Jan 5 2007

Friday 5 January 2007: This interesting fleet is based at Llanrhystud, just south of Aberystwyth. Although operation of lengthy service 694 (Dolgellau - Chester) has now passed to Lloyds of Machynlleth, the company maintains a presence on stage carriage work in the form of an Aberystwyth town service.

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Williams, Camborne (Updated 2nd December 2007)

Wed Dec 27 2006

Wednesday 27 December 2006: Fred Williams commenced operations with a single vehicle in 1978, and although primarily a coach operator, has dabbled in tendered services in west Cornwall at various times in the company's history. This has in the past included a link between Penzance Railway Station and the Heliport for helicopters to the Isles of Scilly, and more recently services to the Tesco stores in both Camborne and Penzance, as well as Redruth town services and various school contracts.

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Liskeard & District Omnibus Company, Bolventor (Updated 18th May 2008)

Wed Dec 27 2006

Wednesday 27 December 2006: This relative newcomer to the Cornish bus scene operates a number of tendered and demand responsive services in the Liskeard area. There is also an offshoot trading as Camelford & District. A commercial service between Liskeard and Plymouth's Derriford Hospital was introduced in 2004, but proved short-lived.

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Darley Ford Travel, Darley Ford (Updated 18th May 2008)

Wed Dec 27 2006

Wednesday 27 December 2006: Despite the name of the proprietor, A. J. Deeble, this is in fact an entirely separate concern from that of J. K. Deeble (Caradon Riviera Tours) to be found at the neighbouring village of Upton Cross, a mile further south towards Liskeard. Primarily a coach operator, Darley Ford at one time shared the Upton Cross - Liskeard service with Caradon.

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Cherry Tree Coaches, Ruan Minor (Updated 18th May 2008)

Wed Dec 27 2006

Wednesday 27 December 2006: Another operation once to be found operating on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Operations appear to have ceased in the late 1990s.

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Zoar, St. Keverne

Wed Dec 27 2006

Wednesday 27 December 2006: An interesting little fleet undertaking school contracts and private hire charters from the peculiarly named Zoar Garage on Cornwall's Lizard Peninsula.

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P. & O. Lloyd, Bagillt

Sun Dec 17 2006

Sunday 17 December 2006: Two brothers established P. & O. Lloyd in 1926, primarily to ferry workers to steelworks in Flint. Declining industrial activity necessitated diversification into excursion and private hire work and, post-dergeulation, local service work. However, the company's main activity at present is schools transport for which a large double-deck fleet is retained.

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Phillips, Holywell

Sun Dec 17 2006

Sunday 17 December 2006: This north Wales independent was established in 1921, and pioneered a bus service between Holywell and Mold which was later shared with Crosville. Post de-regulation the company has continued its traditional service, now numbered 126 and supported by Flintshire County Council. There are also school contracts and coaching activities.

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Lewis-y-Llan, Amlwch (Updated 11th February 2007)

Sun Dec 17 2006

Sunday 17 December 2006: This operator provides several local bus services across Anglesey from bases at Amlwch and Llangristiolus.

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P&O Ferries, Holyhead

Sun Dec 17 2006

Sunday 17 December 2006: A small fleet of buses provide a park and ride service at the Port of Holyhead on Angelsey. Vehicles were previously licensed to Stena Line Ports.

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Lough Swilly, Londonderry

Sun Dec 17 2006

Sunday 17 December 2006: The Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway Co. was incorporated in 1853 with links between Londonderry and northern County Donegal. For some eight decades the company made virtually no profit, surviving instead on generous government subsidies before turning to road transport in 1929. Its bus operations were expanded through a series of takeovers, with the last rail line closing in 1953. Successor the Lough Swilly Bus Company continues, and is unusual in having its headquarters in Northern Ireland whilst operating almost exclusively in the Republic, although there are some cross-border services from County Londonderry as well as a base in Letterkenny.

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Sunrise Travel, West Bromwich (Updated 28th October 2007)

Sun Dec 10 2006

Sunday 10 December 2006: A relative newcomer to the Birmingham bus scene, though possibly a reincarnation of the Bus 4 U business run by the Kaur family until 2003 (see separate collection above). There also appears to be an association with Star Bus Service of Bilston (see separate collection above). Vehicles are deployed on service 37 to Solihull in competition with Travel West Midlands and several other independents.

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Banga Travel, Wolverhampton (Updated 12th June 2008)

Sun Dec 10 2006

Sunday 10 December 2006: P. R. Banga's fleet of minibuses have become a familiar site in Wolverhampton since 1993, competing with Travel West Midlands on services to Codsall and Bilston. The future, however, looks uncertain following recent attempts by the West Midlands traffic commissioner to revoke the operator's licence. The operator is currently appealing against this decision.

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Jones (W. E. Jones & Son), Llanerchymedd

Sun Nov 12 2006

Sunday 12 November 2006: W. E. Jones and son operate an interesting fleet of school buses on the isle of Anglesey.

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GM Buses, Cefn Cribwr

Sun Nov 12 2006

Sunday 12 November 2006: Another smart fleet to be found operating on school contracts in south Wales. This operator is now owned by EST Buses of nearby Llandow.

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Coastal Continental, Barry

Fri Nov 10 2006

Friday 10 November 2006: A rather extravagantly named but nevertheless well presented fleet of school buses based near Cardiff.

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Pilkington's, Accrington

Tue Oct 24 2006

Tuesday 24 October 2006: Established in 1967, Pilkington's (also trading as Accrington's Buses) operated a fascinating fleet in and around Accrington and Blackburn before its operator's licence was revoked in July 2004. The operator has recently resurfaced on a smaller scale as King Travel.

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Chester City Transport, Chester (Updated 2nd June 2008)

Tue Oct 24 2006

Tuesday 24 October 2006: This former municipal operator celebrated its centenary in 2002, but last year its controversial and protracted sale by the City Council was finally completed. First has taken over most of the services and initially leased much of the fleet before drafting in its own vehicles from other subsidiaries. Alongside the main fleet (which had been rebranded as ChesterBus in recent years), at the time of the sale the company also operated all park and ride facilities in Chester as well as seasonal open top services under a franchise agreement with City Sightseeing.

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John's Travel, Southsea (Updated 2nd September 2007)

Thu Oct 19 2006

Thursday 19 October 2006: John Ithell operates a fleet of minibuses on a circular service between Wrexham town centre and Brymbo.

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GP Travel, Rhosymedre

Thu Oct 19 2006

Thursday 19 October 2006: This short-lived operation ran a fleet of school buses from two premises in Rhosymedre and Acrefair, near Wrexham. Although the business closed in 2003, some vehicles remain on site at Rhosymedre.

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Jones (D. Jones & Son), Rhosllanerchrugog (Updated 2nd September 2007)

Thu Oct 19 2006

Thursday 19 October 2006: Initially trading as E. Jones & Sons Passenger, D. Jones & Son of Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham was established in 1996 when the two pairs of brothers behind the E. Jones & Sons business (see collection below) split to form two separate entities. Vehicles are garaged at Acrefair.

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Devaway, Bretton (Updated 2nd June 2008)

Thu Oct 19 2006

Thursday 19 October 2006: This north Wales independent was established in 1987 by two former Crosville employees. Starting with Cheshire County Council contracts, a network of tendered and commercial services was quickly established, with outstations at Ellesmere Port and Mold. The business was sold to Arriva Cymru in 1998, though Devaway survived as a trading style for a further few years.

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Silcox, Pembroke Dock (Updated 5th January 2007)

Sun Oct 8 2006

Sunday 8 October 2006: Dating back to 1882, the independent Silcox business developed services in the Pembroke area of west Wales where state-operated buses were rarely seen before South Wales commenced operation over the Cleddau Bridge. Since deregulation Silcox has secured a number of local authority contract services in addition to its commercial operations.

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Davies Bros, Pencader (Updated 5th January 2007)

Sun Oct 8 2006

Sunday 8 October 2006: Established in 1926 with a service from Carmarthen to Lampeter, this family-run business expanded through the acquisition of a string of other independents to become one of the largest in south Wales. Post- deregulation it took over Eynon's of Trimsaran and won much of Crosville Cymru's tendered network between Cardigan and Carmarthen. In 1997, however, the Trimsaran operations passed to First's SWT subsidiary, followed by the remaining assets in 1999.

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Brookside, Relubbus (Updated 24th April 2007)

Fri Oct 6 2006

Friday 6 October 2006: Established by the Thomas family in 1983, this independent operated services in the Penzance area of Cornwall before these were sold to Western National in 1996. A few minibuses are retained for private hire work.

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Summercourt Travel, Newquay (Updated 2nd December 2007)

Fri Oct 6 2006

Friday 6 October 2006: Having previously owned Cityspeed Travel in West Bromwich (see separate collection above), S. Ryder swapped the West Midlands conurbation for the Cornish coast in 2001 and set up Summercourt Travel. This smart operation now runs local services from Newquay to Newquay Airport and Truro, as well as a Newquay sightseeing tour and a number of Cornwall County Council contracts.

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Country Bus, Newton Abbot (Updated 18th May 2008)

Fri Oct 6 2006

Friday 6 October 2006: Originally trading as Alansway, this operator runs a fleet of minibuses on services in south Devon.

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Roselyn, Par

Fri Oct 6 2006

Friday 6 October 2006: Specialising in school contracts and coach work, this Cornish independent also operates infrequent shopping services to Truro and Plymouth and maintains an interesting second-hand fleet alongside newer coaches.

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Wrights, Penycae (Updated 6th August 2008)

Fri Sep 22 2006

Friday 22 September 2006: Another Wrexham independent which evolved from its origins as a coal haulage business, Wrights established services from Penycae to Wrexham, Oswestry and Rhos in the late 1920s. Post-deregulation Wrights entered into bitter competition with the newly-privatised Crosville Wales, taking its vehicles as far as Chester, Connah's Quay and Rhyl before operations ceased in 1994.

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Jones (E. Jones & Sons), Ponciau (Updated 6th August 2008)

Fri Sep 22 2006

Friday 22 September 2006: In 1968 coal merchant Elias Jones purchased a minibus for use on school contracts and private hire. On his death in 1978 the business was continued by his four sons, diversifying into stage carriage services with the acquisition of Wrexham company M. A. Evans in 1985. In 1996, however, disagreements saw the brothers split, with David and Gary taking on most of the local service work under the name 'E. Jones & Sons Passenger' (later 'D. Jones & Son'). Barry and Gwyn retain the 'E. Jones & Sons' name and concentrate primarily on contract and private hire work, though until recently continued to provide the Wrexham to Barkers Lane service.

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George Edwards & Son, Bwlchgwyn (Updated 12th June 2007)

Fri Sep 22 2006

Friday 22 September 2006: George Edwards began carrying passengers between Wrexham and Llanarmon-yn-Ial village in 1923 with a Model T Ford. 83 years later the business is still run by the Edwards family, with services from Wrexham to Gwynfryn and Minera as well as school contracts and coaching activities.

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Vale of Llangollen, Cefn Mawr (Updated 23rd March 2008)

Thu Sep 21 2006

Thursday 21 September 2006: Alexander Roberts began a coal haulage business from Cefn Mawr in the 1920s, diversifying into passenger transport in the 1930s with a convertable lorry / bus. Contract services to Ifton, Black Park and Bersham Collieries were introduced, and the company also held an excursion license. The 'Vale of Llangollen' name was adopted in the 1960s. The colliery services have long since ceased, though a number of industrial and local authority contracts remain, as does a stage service between Cefn Mawr and Wrexham. The Roberts family have recently sold the operation to GHA Coaches (see separate collection above), though the Vale identity survives at present.

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Salopia, Wem (Updated 7th February 2007)

Sun Sep 17 2006

Sunday 17 September 2006: Established by D. J. Heath during the 1990s, this short-lived enterprise resurrected the name used by the well-known Whitchurch-based Salopia Saloon Coaches fleet before that business sold out to Shearings Holidays in the 1980s. Heath's operation held a number of Shropshire County Council contracts, including the Wem Town Service and a market day run between Whitchurch and Oswestry, before it ceased trading in 2004.

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M&D Travel, Clive (Updated 21st June 2008)

Sun Sep 17 2006

Sunday 17 September 2006: M. J. Boulton commenced operations in 1978 and, post-deregulation, operated local services in Shrewsbury with minibuses bought new. The operation was incorporated into the associated Boultons of Cardington business in 1996.

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Birmingham Motor Traction, Sutton Coldfield

Thu Sep 14 2006

Thursday 14 September 2006: This relative newcomer to the West Midlands bus scene has expanded rapidly with successful tenders for a number of Centro contracts. Its vehicles now reach Walsall, Birmingham city centre and Solihull amongst other destinations, and there are also short commercial workings on the 'Outer Circle' route 11 through Birmingham's suburbs. The livery evokes memories of Birmingham Corporation.

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North Birmingham Busways, Erdington (Updated 28th January 2007)

Mon Sep 11 2006

Monday 11 September 2006: This smart independent commenced operations in 1994 with a fleet of former Blackpool Transport Leyland Atlanteans on service 104X between Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield. Although direct competition with Travel West Midlands has been avoided through the registration of direct services into the city centre via the Aston Expressway, the route network has also expanded with the securing of several Centro contracts, some of which specify low floor vehicles.

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East West Travel, West Bromwich (Updated 12th June 2008)

Mon Sep 11 2006

Monday 11 September 2006: One of several independents competing with Travel West Midlands along Birmingham's Bristol Road, operations ceased in 2006 when the company fell foul of the traffic commissioner. A number of the vehicles subsequently returned to route 61 with a new operation trading as Bull Ring Travel (see separate collection above).

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Lloyds Coaches, Machynlleth (Updated 30th April 2008)

Fri Sep 8 2006

Friday 8 September 2006: A relative newcomer which is rapidly becoming a major force in the mid Wales bus scene, Lloyds operate from the former Crosville garage in Machynlleth. Operations include service X85 (previously 522) to Newtown, on which a new Plaxton Centro and Optare Solo have recently displaced the Optare Tempo used previously.

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Mid Wales Motorways, Penrhyncoch (Updated 30th April 2008)

Fri Sep 8 2006

Friday 8 September 2006: The original Mid Wales business was created by the merging of eight bus operators in the Newtown and Welshpool areas of Powys. This company ceased trading in 1963 but the name was resurrected by some of the staff and former directors. In 1988 the operation was purchased by Evans of Penrhyncoch near Aberystwyth, and both names remain in use today. There was also for many years an association with Newtown-based Beadles Travel (see separate collection above), though this connection ceased in the 1990s. The company has recently secured operation of Aberystwyth's park and ride service.

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Shamrock, Pontypridd (Updated 10th November 2006)

Fri Sep 8 2006

Friday 8 September 2006: Shamrock was set up in 1989 and evolved out of a group of companies owned by Clayton Jones. Now a major force across Glamorgan - with operating subsidiaries including the Bridgend Bus Company and Thomas of Barry - it has recently been acquired by the French Veolia Transport group along with several other south Wales independents.

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Watts Coaches, Bonvilston

Fri Sep 8 2006

Friday 8 September 2006: Besides a smart coach fleet, this operator runs an interesting fleet of school contract vehicles from its base near Cardiff.

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Thomas Bros, Llangadog (Updated 8th October 2006)

Fri Sep 8 2006

Friday 8 September 2006: For many years this long-established South Wales operator provided a network of services from Llandeilo, offering links to Carmarthen, Llandovery and Swansea amongst other destinations. In recent years, however, the company has tended to concentrate more on school contracts and coach hire. Renowned as an enthusiastic operator of the Bristol LH, one LHS coach still survived at the beginning of the year.

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Merseyline, Garston

Sat Aug 19 2006

Saturday 19 August 2006: Merseyline began competing on services running into Liverpool city centre in 1993 with a fleet of former West Midlands PTE Fleetlines. These buses' blue and cream livery was adopted for subsequent acquisitions before the business sold out to Arriva North West in 2004.

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Merseypride, Speke

Sat Aug 19 2006

Saturday 19 August 2006: This Merseyside independent operates an interesting fleet on service 82B connecting Liverpool and Widnes via Speke.

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Hoylake & District, Hoylake

Sat Aug 19 2006

Saturday 19 August 2006: For a short time this Wirral-based independent ran minibuses under contract to Wrexham County Borough Council on service 56 (Wrexham - Farndon - Chester) on Sundays. Upon withdrawal of subsidy from the local authority the service ceased.

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Tanat Valley, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant (Updated 27th July 2008)

Sun Aug 13 2006

Sunday 13 August 2006: This north Powys independent was founded in 1919 by Bill Williams, who was joined in the 1920s by his half brother, Elfyn Morris. Eighty years later the business is still run by the same family, with two of Elfyn's sons as co-directors. After concentrating for many years on coaching activities and school transport, deregulation saw the company expand into local service work with the D79 Llangynog - Oswestry route gained from Crosville. Various other contracts in Powys and northwest Shropshire have since been secured in addition to commercial services taken over from other local independents including Owen's of Oswestry and M. A. Jones of Llansilin. The latter business was bought out by Tanat Valley in 1993, and this was followed by the remaining contracts and vehicles of T. R. Morris, Llanfyllin in October 2000.

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Western National, Plymouth (Updated 30th Septrember 2007)

Fri Aug 11 2006

Friday 11 August 2006: When the state-owned Western National Omnibus Co. was split into four in 1983 in preparation for privatisation, Western National Ltd. took on the Cornwall and south Devon operations. In 1987 Western National was purchased from the National Bus Company by Badgerline Holdings, which evolved into FirstGroup during the 1990s. Recently having been rebranded in line with First's corporate image, the company now trades as First Devon and Cornwall and is renowned for its dwindling fleet of Bristol VRs, unusual survivors for a major operator.

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Eastwood, St. Ives (Updated 2nd December 2007)

Fri Aug 11 2006

Friday 11 August 2006: Initially trading as Dial-a-Bus, this Cornish independent uses a fleet of minibuses on park and ride services in St. Ives. Services are also operated to a couple of local holiday parks during the summer months. Some vehicles carry 'Victory Buses' fleet names.

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Truronian, Truro (Updated 2nd December 2007)

Fri Aug 11 2006

Friday 11 August 2006: In 1987 three former Western National managers purchased Truronian Tours from H. Brown (who was retiring after 25 years) to form Truronian Ltd. The acquisition of Flora Motors, Helston in 1988 saw the company diversify into stage services across the Lizard Peninsula, and this was followed by the take-over of Williams of St. Agnes in 1993. The company is now a major presence across central Cornwall with a network of commercial and contract services centring on Truro and Helston. A park and ride facility at the Eden Project is also operated and has recently been upgraded with a fleet of articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaros.

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Griffiths, Y Felin Heli (Updated 11th April 2008)

Sun Aug 6 2006

Sunday 6 August 2006: Besides coaches, this Gwynedd independent operates an interesting fleet of school buses from its base mid way between Bangor and Caernarfon.

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Clynnog & Trefor, Trefor (Updated 11th February 2007)

Sun Aug 6 2006

Sunday 6 August 2006: This old established independent has connected the two villages which make up its trading name with the towns of Pwllheli and Caernarfon since 1912, with support from Gwynedd County Council since deregulation. School contracts are also operated in addition to coaching activities.

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Worthen Travel, Worthen (Updated 21st June 2008)

Sat Aug 5 2006

Saturday 5 August 2006: D. A. Pye took over the Worthen branch of Valley Motors in May 1986 and revived the 'Worthen' fleet name previously used by T. J. Green, another Shropshire independent who, ironically, had sold out to Valley Motors in 1974. After moving to premises in Minsterley in 1997 the company continued to operate Service 558 (Montgomery - Shrewsbury), latterly with some financial support from Shropshire County Council. In 2007, however, operations have been downsized considerably with the transfer of the Shrewsbury service and a large part of the fleet to a new company trading as P&P Coaches (see separate collection above). The remaining Worthen fleet was initially rehoused at Berriew in Powys before moving to the current premises near Ford, Shrewsbury.

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Williamsons, Shrewsbury (Updated 21st June 2008)

Sat Aug 5 2006

Saturday 5 August 2006: Operations between Pulverbatch and Shrewsbury began in 1919, trading for many years as the Green Bus Service before the Williamsons name began to be applied. Following deregulation a number of new commercial Shrewsbury town services were introduced, as well as the X96 express service to Birmingham. In 1991 Shrewsbury's first park and ride service (Harlescott) began under contract to Shropshire County Council, and in 1997 the company secured the 576 (Oswestry - Knockin - Ruyton-XI-Towns - Shrewsbury) contract for which two new Optare Excels were purchased. In latter years the operating centre moved to the former Vaggs premises at Knockin Heath. In 1998 the service operations were sold to Arriva Midlands, including the 576 contract and a number of vehicles, and in 2000 the company folded with the cessation of coaching activities.

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Huxleys, Threapwood (Updated 2nd June 2008)

Mon Jul 31 2006

Monday 31 July 2006: Fred Huxley set up business in 1974 from the base in Threapwood, Cheshire. A holiday tour programme was introduced in 1981, whilst deregulation resulted in the operation of several stage services including the C56 linking Wrexham and Chester via Farndon. Clwyd and Cheshire County Council contracts also took vehicles into Mold, Nantwich and north Shropshire. In June 2007, however, the company's licence was revoked as a result of financial difficulties.

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Grenville Motors, Troon (Updated 18th May 2008)

Sat Jul 8 2006

Saturday 8 July 2006: Established in 1947, Grenville was to become the largest independent provider of stage carriage services in Cornwall following a series of takeovers. Early acquisitions included Berryman's of Leedstown, Godolphin Motors and Pendennis Motors, the latter providing Grenville with a presence in Falmouth. This was later exploited when Grenville acquired four other companies in the area, bringing premises in Penryn and exclusive operation of a busy circular service between Penryn and Falmouth. The last acquisition was Harvey's of Mousehole, which remained a separate entity until Grenville itself sold out to the newly privatised Western National in 1988. Western National continued to use the Grenville name on a handful of coaches allocated to Camborne depot well into the 1990s.

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Caradon Riviera Tours, Upton Cross (Updated 18th May 2008)

Sat Jul 8 2006

Saturday 8 July 2006: Established by the Deeble family in the early 1920s, this independent expanded significantly in the early 1970s as a result of Western National's withdrawal from a large number of routes in north Cornwall. This was followed by the acquisition of Polperro-based Pearce Motors in 1974, which gave the company a foothold in Looe. Although the company's service interests have now passed to other operators, it retains a large fleet of coaches and school contract vehicles with depots at Upton Cross, Liskeard, Callington and Wadebridge.

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Williams, Bala (Updated 11th April 2008)

Fri Jul 7 2006

Friday 7 July 2006: During the mid-1980s this north Wales operator secured a number of former Crosville routes in the Bala area, including some journeys on the lengthy D94 Barmouth - Wrexham service. Operations ceased in 1988, but the company was soon resurrected under new management. After a brief spell as part of the Coachmasters Group around the turn of the new millennium, the operation is now independent again with a greater emphasis on schools and private hire work at present.

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