Travel Wright intend to close in April

[Flange Squeal]

Newark-based Travel Wright is intended to be closed in April, just four years short of their centenary. With a fleet of over 30 vehicles, they run buses on a mix of school and public services, and coaches on private hire and their own holiday and excursion programme. The bus fleet is mostly made up of Optare Solos and Enviro 200s, with the coach fleet being a mix of Tourismos, Setras and I believe various Plaxtons. The future of their bus routes remains to be seen, but I believe their network currently consists of:

Main routes:
136: Retford to Walesby (Mon-Sat, 3 per day)
227: Newark to Edwinstowe (Wed/Fri, 1 per day)
332: Newark to Caunton & Norwell (Mon-Sat, up to 5 per day)
335: Retford - New Ollerton - Newark (Mon-Sat, 1 per day)
341: Newark to Barnby in the Willows (Mon-Sat, up to 4 per day)
367: Newark to Collingham/Harby (Mon-Sat, up to 12 per day)

School buses:
2: Car Hill Primary School to Retford
365: Minster School to North Muskham
609: Tuxford Academy to Newark
609B: Tuxford Academy to Besthorpe

Most appear to be council subsidised, with the commercial 335 seemingly doubling up as live positioning journeys. The vehicle on the outward morning 335 from Newark out to Retford works onto Retford school route 2, Retford daytime 136, the afternoon 2 and back home to Newark on the afternoon 335. The morning 335 into Newark then works onto Newark circular route 332, with no afternoon return.

The front page of their website says:

‘It is with great sadness we have to announce Travel Wright intend to close the business in early April.

‘We are looking to retire and have accordingly been looking for a buyer such that the business could continue as a going concern but unfortunately this has not happened. It has been a difficult decision to make and will be a very sad day for our family, our staff and we are sure our customers too.’ A final decision will be announced on or around 18th February.

‘We will continue to support our staff and would like to thank them for their loyalty and for helping us to achieve what we hope will be an honourable exit. It would be fantastic for the public to support us during the next 9 weeks or so – perhaps taking a last outing to the seaside, a short break or even booking a coach for a day out – we do hope so’

‘We can categorically state our business remains solvent and we will continue to honour all of our bookings; day excursions, holidays, services, private hire and contracts up to and including Sunday 3rd April. In addition we will definitely be operating the excursion to London to see Wicked on 6th April.

‘Anyone who has a Travel Wright Gift Voucher is encouraged to use it before the end of March. We will be in touch with all of our private hire customers who have bookings beyond 3rd April in the next few weeks’

We would like to extend a huge thank to our excursion and holiday passengers, schools, private hire customers and businesses, indeed all who have supported us over the years; it will be a very sad day and we trust you will agree the end of an era in Newark.



David, Colin & Paula

 

[Simon75]

I'm pretty sure the Stagecoach Lincolnshire (Newark) outstation is based there

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm pretty sure the Stagecoach Lincolnshire (Newark) outstation is based there

I think you're right. Not a big allocation - about 6-8 vehicles?

 

[Collingham]

Newark-based Travel Wright is intended to be closed in April, just four years short of their centenary. With a fleet of over 30 vehicles, they run buses on a mix of school and public services, and coaches on private hire and their own holiday and excursion programme. The bus fleet is mostly made up of Optare Solos and Enviro 200s, with the coach fleet being a mix of Tourismos, Setras and I believe various Plaxtons. The future of their bus routes remains to be seen, but I believe their network currently consists of:

Main routes:
136: Retford to Walesby (Mon-Sat, 3 per day)
227: Newark to Edwinstowe (Wed/Fri, 1 per day)
332: Newark to Caunton & Norwell (Mon-Sat, up to 5 per day)
335: Retford - New Ollerton - Newark (Mon-Sat, 1 per day)
341: Newark to Barnby in the Willows (Mon-Sat, up to 4 per day)
367: Newark to Collingham/Harby (Mon-Sat, up to 12 per day)

School buses:
2: Car Hill Primary School to Retford
365: Minster School to North Muskham
609: Tuxford Academy to Newark
609B: Tuxford Academy to Besthorpe

Most appear to be council subsidised, with the commercial 335 seemingly doubling up as live positioning journeys. The vehicle on the outward morning 335 from Newark out to Retford works onto Retford school route 2, Retford daytime 136, the afternoon 2 and back home to Newark on the afternoon 335. The morning 335 into Newark then works onto Newark circular route 332, with no afternoon return.

The front page of their website says:

Travel Wright also run the Waitrose Free Bus too which i use every week. I have been using it for almost twenty years. I wonder if this will transfer to a new operator or just get discontinued. It is the final remaining Waitrose Free Bus left in the UK so it would not surprise me if Waitrose just decide to discontinue the service rather than giving it to another operator.

 

[markymark2000]

I think you're right. Not a big allocation - about 6-8 vehicles?

Actual PVR I think is 6 (4 service plus 2 schools & the single Baakavor trip) so maybe 8 including the spares.