Central Buses

[Robertj21a]

Reported as sold to Rotala.

 

[Smethwickian]

http://www.cityam.com/279962/heathrow-hotel-hoppa-owner-rotala-buys-central-buses

"Coach and bus operator Rotala has made another acquisition, marking the latest move in its buying spree.
"The company has bought the entire bus business of Birmingham-based CEN Group, otherwise known as Central Buses, for £1.95million. This includes a 31-strong fleet of vehicles.
"It is the latest in a string of acquisitions funded by Rotala's debt facilities. Since placing additional shares on the market to raise extra money for acquisitions last year, it has bought regional bus businesses including Heathrow's Hotel Hoppa bus business.
"The latest deal estimates that Central's business has annual revenues of £2.8m and a fleet worth £1.5m. The acquisition is expected to generate around £450,000 in goodwill.
"Rotala also provided an update on trading, saying its strategy of acquisitive growth has strengthened the business in the areas concerned.
'Following the four acquisitions which have been made since July 2017, the group's turnover in 2018 is expected to grow considerably," the company said this morning.
'In the view of the directors the Bus Services Act 2017 will continue to create uncertainty and drive change in the bus industry. Accordingly the board remains focused on identifying suitable acquisitions which will enhance and expand the services of the group. At the same time the group possesses ample financial facilities to undertake further acquisitions.'"

 

[overthewater]

I had originally thought Rotala had brought centrebus. It does fit in with its Black Diamond operations ?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I had originally thought Rotala had brought centrebus. It does fit in with its Black Diamond operations ?

It fits very well but the best person to outline that is Winston - used to post regularly on here and is mod on WMbuses

 

[winston270twm]

It fits very well but the best person to outline that is Winston - used to post regularly on here and is mod on WMbuses

Still look in TGW Haven't been as active since the Forum changed & given up on First Group!

Yes, Central Buses routes fit in very well with existing Rotala (Diamond WM Ops). It's removed another bidder for TfWM tendered contracts. Solihull / Coventry routes will most likely move to Diamond's Redditch depot, majority to Tividale. Whilst Diamond will also gain the 125 Bridgnorth - Stourbridge route in full plus the 318 recently lost of tender to Central Buses which will move in to their Kidderminster depot. Diamond will no doubt cancel their short 25 Kidderminster - Stourbridge competing service as a result. Kidderminster pre Central Buses acquisition has an allocation of 50+ buses, on takeover from First it had circa 23. Despite what today's announcement says, Rotala will be retaining Central Buses Tamworth base as an operational depot going forward.

Slightly off topic, but all 4 x Wessex 62 plate Volvo B9/Gemini's have left Avonmouth are now destined for Preston Bus, 3 are in store at Diamond Kidderminster depot, whilst 40603 is all Tividale:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...&set=pcb.414006295709853&type=3&theater&ifg=1

All Wessex Op's are now operated out of Avonmouth since Keysham was vacated.

 

[Anthony ross]

Given the fact that they are now retaining the Tamworth depot hipefully we will see an expansion in that part of the Midlands will they be rebranding the operations as diamond

 

[overthewater]

Still look in TGW Haven't been as active since the Forum changed & given up on First Group!

Nice to see you still around, Come to central scotland First doing alright there

 

[winston270twm]

Given the fact that they are now retaining the Tamworth depot hipefully we will see an expansion in that part of the Midlands will they be rebranding the operations as diamond

Simon Dunn lives in Tamworth, so knows the area well, However, I can't see them launching competitive routes against Arriva. Rotala don't normally like to get involved in bus wars, it's generally more of a defensive move if they do start new commercial routes on existing corridors. Peace in Tamworth was only very recently restored between Arriva & Central Buses, with Central withdrawing all competiting town services plus the award winning Xpre55 in favour of increasing services on the 35 Walsall - Lichfield corridor against Arriva, which Arriva have cancelled a week later (I wouldn't be suggesting a deal had been done.....) I suspect that had something to do with the eventual takeover. Rotala may well look to grow the Tamworth base if Arriva cut any more services.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Still look in TGW Haven't been as active since the Forum changed & given up on First Group!

Yes, Central Buses routes fit in very well with existing Rotala (Diamond WM Ops).

Slightly off topic, but all 4 x Wessex 62 plate Volvo B9/Gemini's have left Avonmouth are now destined for Preston Bus, 3 are in store at Diamond Kidderminster depot, whilst 40603 is all Tividale:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...&set=pcb.414006295709853&type=3&theater&ifg=1

All Wessex Op's are now operated out of Avonmouth since Keysham was vacated.

Hi Winston - I occasionally pop into WMbuses and saw you were still about. Glad to see you occasionally pop in here

I'd seen that the 62 plate B9s were parked up in Kiddy though for onward movement to pastures new. Didn't know they were off to Preston though makes sense.

Also, it had escaped me that Wessex had vacated Burnett. That makes perfect sense given how small the operation in Bath had become. Also explains some of the NIS vehicles I see on the ring road/M4!

 

[winston270twm]

Hi Winston - I occasionally pop into WMbuses and saw you were still about. Glad to see you occasionally pop in here

I'd seen that the 62 plate B9s were parked up in Kiddy though for onward movement to pastures new. Didn't know they were off to Preston though makes sense.

Also, it had escaped me that Wessex had vacated Burnett. That makes perfect sense given how small the operation in Bath had become. Also explains some of the NIS vehicles I see on the ring road/M4!

Hi TGW,

Nice to see my presence has been missed.... I had been quite busy with work, but suddenly find myself much quieter thanks to a certain Construction company going by the name of 'Carillion'

The 4 x 62 plate Gemini's were originally leased & were for sale at Chartwell Bus & Coach with plans to return them off lease. However, plans have since changed and all four are no expected at Preston Bus to upgrade deckers there, they are replacing 4 x V-reg ex Lothian Tridents 40540-3 (which are currently for sale as runners in latest Routeone).

Burnett was vacated early Jan, all remaining Wessex ops (what's left) is now solely run from Avonmouth.

 

[Anthony ross]

Looks like the only vehicle that wont be joing the Rotala fleet is there routemaster

 

[317 forever]

I wonder how many independents still serve the West Midlands? I know of De Courcey Travel in Coventry, and Johnsons into Birmingham & maybe Coventry. Then there's Igo Buses, but hardly any other notable ones. I know that the big 3 national players all have routes into Birmingham or Coventry.

 

[carlberry]

I wonder how many independents still serve the West Midlands? I know of De Courcey Travel in Coventry, and Johnsons into Birmingham & maybe Coventry. Then there's Igo Buses, but hardly any other notable ones. I know that the big 3 national players all have routes into Birmingham or Coventry.

The list may include some that only do schools:
A&M Group, Astons, Banga, Select, Claribel, Coastal Liner, Corporate Espress, Discount, Elite, Evergreen, Green Bus, GRS, Rk Travel, Midland Classic, PKS, Ridleys, Silverline, Social, Solus, Sunny, Travel Express, Thandi, Walsall CT, Wolverhampton University

 

[317 forever]

Thank you for this list Carlberry. I know Banga, Claribel, Green Bus and Thandi, but was not sure which ones were still running. I also know Midland Classic but thought they only did routes in or near Burton-on-Trent.

 

[ag51ruk]

Thank you for this list Carlberry. I know Banga, Claribel, Green Bus and Thandi, but was not sure which ones were still running. I also know Midland Classic but thought they only did routes in or near Burton-on-Trent.

Midland Classic run to Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield from Burton

 

[317 forever]

Midland Classic run to Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield from Burton

Oh yes, that could be a long-term successor to part of Stevenson's route 112. I looked it up quickly and it is now route X12.

 

[bussnapperwm]

The list may include some that only do schools:
A&M Group, Astons, Banga, Select, Claribel, Coastal Liner, Corporate Espress, Discount, Elite, Evergreen, Green Bus, GRS, Rk Travel, Midland Classic, PKS, Ridleys, Silverline, Social, Solus, Sunny, Travel Express, Thandi, Walsall CT, Wolverhampton University

GRS no longer run buses.