MONDAY 4 DECEMBER 2023
Take-Over News
A Bit Of A Surprise
We are well used to the multiplicity of manipulations in the big bad world of bus business. Recently we have seen the dramatic expansion of McGills and, on a smaller scale, the purchase of Ensign by First Bus and, perhaps a bit weirder, the take-over of Dartline by GoAhead.
Is the breaking news from Baslow the beginning of a rare small company expansion into the big time?
News broke yesterday that Hulleys, respected Derbyshire operator, had bought GoCoach based in Swanley (Kent) but mainly operating buses out of Sevenoaks bus station.
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So, as they say at the climax of all the best "soaps", "what's going in?
The owner of GoCoach has sent a letter to his staff explaining the reasons for the sale and its consequences. Click on the extract below for an enlargement.
[Extract available on website]
In simple terms, nothing changes. Go Coach boss, Austin Blackburn wants to cut down his 70 hour working weeks but will remain as Engineering Director of both companies.
Hmmm. There is a phrase for that!
Further notes in the letter suggest that some of Hulley's engineering will be done at Swanley. That's a round trip of 338 miles!
Seems a long way to drive to service a bus!
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Whatever; a number of senior bus men have expressed their bewilderment at this take-over decision. Lets hope Alf Crofts, boss of Hulleys, hasn't over reached himself!