The Independent Bus
Top Photographs of All Time
BMC saloon BX54VTY in Huddersfield, September 2005  Paul's Travel, Huddersfield  (1878)
A row of buses in 1978  Eynons of Trimsaran (More pictures added 17th November 2008)  (1855)
Atlantean 136  Llynfi Motor Services, Maesteg (More pictures added 13th April 2008)  (1577)
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton P720RYL, Huddersfield, September 2005  Paul's Travel, Huddersfield  (1529)
Bedford VAM PPW800F  Cullings Coach Services (More pictures added 13th December 2004)  (1354)
Leyland Leopard 18  Stevensons of Spath (More pictures added 9th January 2009)  (1341)
AEC Regent V 47  Felix Motors of Hatfield (More pictures added 20th January 2008)  (1163)
Dennis Dart SLF SF03ABU  Riverside, Paisley (More pictures added 19th October 2008)  (1161)
Fleetline no. D2  Grahams of Paisley (More pictures added 22nd February 2009)  (998)
10 Ex Sovereign KC03PGK  Centrebus (More pictures added 19th April 2009)  (961)
Most Recent Collections
10th Jun 2009Redline, Buckinghamshire New
This company runs several services around Aylesbury, but can now be found in Hitchin.
31st May 2009York Pullman - the new company
The original York Pullman vanished in the 1980s. A new concern emerged in the 21st century, operating city tours. However, they hae now started some stage services, so are now included here.
24th May 2009John Smith and Sons, Thirsk
A long established coach operator that runs some rural services.
24th May 2009Hutchinsons of North Yorkshire
Once ran the "Park and Ride" service in York.
24th May 2009Harrogate Coach Travel
This concern has grown recently & now serves Harrogate and York.
24th May 2009Acomb Link
I know nothing about this company, once found in York.
24th Apr 2009Blue Triangle, Merseyside
One of several post deregulation operators that have come & gone from the streets of Liverpool.
13th Apr 2009Weavaway
A small Berkshire operator.
2nd Mar 2009Low Fell Coaches
Famous in the 1980s & 1990s for their Cross-Tyne service, until taken over by Go-Ahead.
9th Jan 2009Lamberts of South Yorkshire
For a couple of years or so, this interesting fleet served Rotherham.
6th Jan 2009Acorn Mini Travel
A minibus operator once found in Chester.
28th Dec 2008Jones of Blaenau Ffestiniog
Mainly operating minibuses, this concern ran several services.
21st Dec 2008Choice Travel
A decent size West Midlands company.
15th Dec 2008Dales and District (Procters of Bedale) - more pictures added 1st February 2009
Operates around rural North Yorkshire, Dales & District is the operaing name for the stage services. Thanks to David Hick for clarifying the situation.
15th Dec 2008Deveron Coaches
A small company running into Inverness.
15th Dec 2008Hailsham Town Bus
I confess to knowing nothing about this company.
15th Dec 2008Empress of Hastings
I found this company running a minibus on a service in Hastings in 2000.
7th Dec 2008Stoniers - the new company
The famous Stoniers of Goldenhill vanished in the 1980s, but a new minibus operator used the name for their operations.
7th Dec 2008Burman Travel
A short lived Staffordshire operator that reached Birmingham.
7th Dec 2008Archway Motors, Shifnal
An obscure Shropshire concern, taken over by Arriva.
7th Dec 2008West Riding (More pictures added 25th January 2009)
From the pre-NBC days, when it was Britain's largest independent!
7th Dec 2008Provincial (Gosport and Fareham)
Mainly preserved buses, in the livery of the days of independence.
23rd Nov 2008Owens of Oswestry (One picture added 15th December 2008)
Based in Oswestry, but operates mainly in Wales these days.
17th Nov 2008Gwyn Williams (One picture added 23rd November 2008)
A smart fleet that ran a few stage services around Carmarthen, when I knew it. Now I'm told, they still operate (see Comments).
8th Nov 2008Amberley Coaches (One picture added 24th May 2009)
A Leeds concern, running several routes after deregulation.
8th Nov 2008AJC Coaches, Leeds
A smart blue livery was employed during the few short years that this company ran local bus routes.
8th Nov 2008Abbeyways
A coaching company that took over Woods of Mirfeld & entered the stage carriage market. Eventually, the were taken over by the PTE.
5th Nov 2008Vernons Coaches
Back in the 1980s, this company ran a stage service into Eastbourne.
4th Nov 2008City Buslines
A Birmingham concern with a fleet of Leyland Nationals.
31st Oct 2008Smiths, Coupar Angus
Operates the P&R service in Perth.
31st Oct 2008Docherty's Midland Coaches
This company runs a service into Perth.
31st Oct 2008Crieff Travel
This firm runs a few tendered services in the Perth area.
31st Oct 2008Bankfoot Buses
A Perthshire concern that has a fascinating fleet, but all I found were Optare Solos!
29th Oct 2008Yorkshire Terrier More pictures added 31st May 2009)
This Sheffield based company started services after deregulation, but soon got taken over by Yorkshire Traction.
29th Oct 2008Sheafline, Sheffield
One of several post deregulation operations that has since been swallowed up.
26th Oct 2008United Buses, Paisley
Owned by McGill's of Greenock, United have now entered the fray in Paisley.
19th Oct 2008Stepend Travel
One of lots of small Lanarkshire independents
19th Oct 2008Orion, Largs
A town service is operated within Largs
19th Oct 2008McColls of Balloch
This company runs around the north bank of the Clyde.
19th Oct 2008Clan Travel
Yet another Motherwell minibus operator!
18th Oct 2008Linburg Touring
A Sheffield based independent.
16th Oct 2008Campbell's Buses
This company now longer runs in Clydebank, where it was to be found in 1993.
16th Oct 2008Ballantyne of Strathclyde
A minibus operator recently found in Motherwell.
12th Oct 2008Glen Valley Tours
A small company running into Berwick-upon-Tweed.
10th Oct 2008Accrington Coachways
One of several businesses that served the Accrington area just after deregulation.
10th Oct 2008ABC, Merseyside (More pictures added 15th January 2009)
This concern got taken over by CMT of Liverpool.
8th Oct 2008TWH Buses
A new (to me) company competing on the Epping to Harlow corridor.
3rd Oct 2008Eve Coaches, Dunbar (More pictures added 1st February 2009)
A smart company running several routes.
3rd Oct 2008Westerbus
A long distance service into Inverness is the main operation of this company.
3rd Oct 2008D & E Coaches (One picture added 15th December 2008)
A company running into Inverness on a regular basis.
3rd Oct 2008A couple of Minor Orkney Operators
Causeway Coaches & Rosie Coaches, both once found in Kirkwall.
28th Sep 2008Bains Coaches
I found this concern running a bus service in Inverurie.
28th Sep 2008Mitchells of Plean
A Stirling University service and other local routes are operated.
28th Sep 2008Harlequin Coaches, Dunblane
As well as other routes, Harlequin operates the Park & Ride service in Stirling.
28th Sep 2008Hamiltons Coaches
Another Stirling area minibus concern.
28th Sep 2008Fergusons Coaches
A minibus operator I found in Stirling.
27th Sep 2008Brijan Tours
A newcomer to the Hampshire stage carriage scene.
27th Sep 2008Nefyn Coaches
A small operator serving parts of the Lleyn Peninsula.
9th Sep 2008Premiere of Nottinghamshire (More pictures added 24th May 2009)
A new concern running several services now.
9th Sep 2008Garys of Tredegar
Once to be found in the company's home town.
31st Aug 2008Barfordian
A small Bedfordshire company that ran into Bedford.
30th Aug 2008Toftwood
A minibus operator I once found in Earlestown
9th Jul 2008RH Transport Services
I found this company running services in Oxford, during a recent visit.
6th Jul 2008Lamberts Coaches
A small company that once ran a service into Great Yarmouth
21st Jun 2008Humber Stagecoach/Good News Travels/Metro (More pictures added 11th January 2009)
Another of those small concerns that tried services in Hull after deregulation.
15th Jun 2008Via Travel
A minibus concern I found recently in Crewe.
18th May 2008Roselyn Coaches (Ede), Par - More pictures added 9th January 2009
Mainly a schools/contract concern, but this Cornish operator also runs some stage services.
16th May 2008White Bus Service (One picture added 23rd November 2008)
This concern has long operated a service between Windsor and Ascot. The route includes some private roads in Windsor Park.
27th Apr 2008Nottingham and District Omnibus
The new Routemaster operator in Nottingham.
27th Apr 2008Stoke Bus, Devon
Once found operating a stage service in Paignton.
27th Apr 2008Your Bus, Darlington
A short lived competitor for Darlington Transport.
27th Apr 2008Classic Buses, County Durham
For a short time, this post deregulation operator was part of the TGM Group, but spent most of its life as an independent.
26th Apr 2008Peoplemover
A minibus operator I once found in Bridgend, South Wales.
6th Apr 2008Sunray Travel (More Pictures Added 16th May 2008)
This smart firm runs a service between Epsom & Dorking.
24th Mar 2008Fords of Gunnislake
Based at Gunnislake, this operator runs a service into Tavistock.
24th Mar 2008Timeline (More pictures added 6th January 2009)
The short lived successor to the Shearings bus operations.
17th Feb 2008Welcome of Tyneside
A minibus company that ran in and around Newcastle.
3rd Feb 2008Amberline
A North East minibus operator, now vanished.
20th Jan 2008Metropolitan of Barnsley
One of several small companies that appeared in the area after deregulation.
13th Jan 2008Coachcraft, Doncaster
This company tried competitive services in Doncaster, just after deregulation.
13th Jan 2008Peter MacLennan
An Outer Hebrides operator based on Lewis
24th Dec 2007Dicksons of Farnborough
This company runs a service around Staines and Sunningdale.
24th Dec 2007Carlone Buses
Recently found running a couple of Surrey CC services in Staines.
24th Dec 2007Cooks Coaches
A Somerset operator, recently taken over by Stagecoach.
17th Dec 2007Cyril Evans, Sengenydd (One picture added 20th April 2008)
This concern ran a service into Caerphilly in the late 1980s.
13th Dec 2007Phil Haines
A small Lincolnshire operator.
10th Dec 2007South Manchester
A short lived concern that ran services into Manchester.
4th Dec 2007Shamrock, Dorset
Now running several services around Bournemouth
25th Nov 2007Sureline, Dorset
A small operator recently discovered around Weymouth and Dorchester.
11th Nov 2007Soudley Valley
A rural Gloucestershire operator, long vanished now,
18th Oct 2007Stuarts of Manchester (More pictures added 20th April 2008)
One of many post deregulation companies that sprang up in the '80s, then vanished several years later.
11th Oct 2007Gemini Travel, Suffolk (One picture added 26th October 2008)
...........and here's yet another small independent I found in Ipswich!
11th Oct 2007Far East Travel
Another small Suffolk concern, to be found in Ipswich.
11th Oct 2007Country Travel, Leiston
A small Suffolk operator that I found in Ipswich.
10th Oct 2007The Big Lemon
A newcomer to Brighton, running out to Falmer.
30th Sep 2007Blue Bus, Suffolk
A short lived concern that ran into Ipswich
30th Sep 2007District Bus
A Basildon minibus operator.
25th Sep 2007White Ribbon (More pictures added 7th October 2007)
An East Kilbride operator. Mainly a fleet of minibuses, but something more unusual was owned.
23rd Sep 2007Lloyds of Machynlleth
Recently this concern has taken over the depot & services of Arriva in Machynlleth.
19th Aug 2007Princess Coaches, Southampton
This company now runs a service around central Southampton, using a small fleet of Plaxton Primo saloons.
12th Aug 2007Halpenny Bus Service, Dundalk (More pictures added 5th September 2007)
A small operator running a service in Dundalk, near the border with Northern Ireland. My thanks to Jim Sambrooks for taking the 2007 pictures for me.
12th Aug 2007Meridian Line (One picture added 29th April 2009)
Found in Cambridge operating a tendered service.
5th Aug 2007Speedwell Bus
A minibus operator, running services around the Derbyshire/Manchester borders.
5th Jul 2007Swaffham Coachways
I don't know what became of this concern, but the buses could once be found operating into Kings Lynn.
5th Jul 2007Sleafordian
The operator of town services in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
1st Jul 2007Cousins, County Durham
I found this concern running a service into Chester-le-Street.
29th Jun 2007Sussex Bus (More pictures added 5th November 2008)
A Chichester operator that fell into the clutches of Stagecoach.
29th Jun 2007Aldham Coaches
For several years after deregulation, Aldham Coaches ran services in and around Barnsley.
25th Jun 2007Autocar (One picture added 16th December 2007)
An operator running services around Tunbridge Wells, which had evaded my cameras until recently.
6th Jun 2007Midway, Manchester (More pictures added 14th June 2007)
One of several concerns that tried running services into Manchester, competing against the big boys.
29th Apr 2007Excel, Stansted
A fairly new operator running around Stansted Airport.
27th Apr 2007The Kings Ferry, Gillingham (More pictures added 15th June 2008)
A long established and well respected coach company, that is now operating a tendered service in Chatham. Recently taken over by National Express.
27th Apr 2007Eastonways, Ramsgate (More pictures added 17th June 2007)
Eastonways operate a Thanet local service as well as running internal port services in Ramsgate.
22nd Apr 2007Heatons Travel
The red and white buses of this operator could be found around Wigan and Leigh.
25th Mar 2007Northrider (More pictures added 10th February 2008)
A small company running a few routes around Tyneside.
18th Mar 2007Crown Bus, Basildon
I know nothing about this operator, which I found running a service in Basildon, Essex.
10th Mar 2007Suir Way
Last, but not least, of a trio of Waterford independents.
10th Mar 2007Suir Valley
Another of the various independents to serve Waterford, Eire.
10th Mar 2007Kenneally's, Waterford (More pictures added 19th October 2008)
The first independent from Eire to feature here, Kenneally's operate a town service in Waterford.
26th Feb 2007Liverline, Liverpool (More pictures added 30th August 2008)
Another of those independents that ran stage services during the late '80s/early '90s. The operation was later taken over by North Western Road Car.
24th Feb 2007Walls of Fallowfield (More pictures added 10th December 2007)
I didn't realise until today that I hadn't scanned any of photos of the buses of this Manchester operator. Lots more to come soon.
20th Feb 2007Bob Smith Travel (More pictures added 27th April 2008)
The buses of this operator can be found running services around Durham.
18th Feb 2007Clintona (More pictures added 27th September 2008)
A fairly long established concern, but hard to find. I finally caught up with one of their buses in Grays.
16th Feb 2007Fareway, Liverpool (More pictures added 30th August 2008)
In the late 1980s Liverpool was a great place for independents & Fareway certainly added colour to the scene.
16th Feb 2007Express Travel, Merseyside
A small company, mainly concentrating on tendered services.
16th Feb 2007City Fleet, Liverpool
One of several small post-deregulation operations that sprang up in Liverpool.
15th Feb 2007Lancashire Rose
In 1995 I found this company running services in Preston.
9th Feb 2007Miramare, West Yorkshire (More pictures added 16th November 2008)
This operator competed with both Black Prince and First on the Leeds-Morley corridor.
3rd Feb 2007W R Spring of Evesham
A coach operator running rural services into Cheltenham.
21st Jan 2007Simmonds of Letchworth
Mainly a coach company, Simmonds ran a few tendered services in the 1980s.
20th Jan 2007Bus Force
I once found this company operating in York, but I've never seen them since!
28th Dec 2006Chambers of Stevenage (More pictures added 21st January 2007)
This long established coach operator dabbled in tendered bus services for a short while.
26th Dec 2006Little Jim's
A small West Hertfordshire operator.
9th Dec 2006Lyles of Batley
Using a variety of heavyweight buses, Ron Lyles ran services around Dewsbury in the late '80s/early '90s.
9th Dec 2006Manxtree/Bexhill Bus Co
Whether these two companies were connected is unknown to me, but I've put them together anyway, as I've only got a few pictures.
5th Dec 2006Sureline of Lurgan (More pictures added 30th August 2008)
Another Northern Ireland operator. This one ran a service in its home town, with an incredible mix of vehicles.
5th Dec 2006Lough Swilly (More pictures added 30th August 2008)
The Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway ran a network of rail lines until the 1950s, when they closed. However, the bus services continued and do so to the present day.
5th Dec 2006Village Group, Liverpool (More pictures added 26th February 2007)
One of several independents that operated on Merseyside in the late 1980s/early 1990s.
3rd Dec 2006Ogdens, St Helens (More pictures added 24th April 2009)
Following deregulation, Ogden's entered the free-for-all that was St Helens in the late 1980s.
3rd Dec 2006Norbus, Merseyside
A small company running a couple of tendered services around Liverpool.
26th Nov 2006Lucketts of Watford (More pictures added 4th May 2008)
Several local services were operated by this post-deregulation concern.
19th Nov 2006Burton Coaches, Brixham
This Devon operator ran buses around its home town.
13th Nov 2006Reynard Bus/Reynard Pullman (More pictures added 23rd September 2007)
The successor to York Pullman. Sadly the company sold out to Yorkshire Rider (First Bus).
10th Nov 2006Travel A2Z
Recently found in Walsall running stage services.
10th Nov 2006Thandi Travel
Another small Birmingham operator.
10th Nov 2006Birmingham Motor Traction
A grand title for one of the many small operators running services into Birmingham.
5th Nov 2006South Yorkshire Road Transport - the new company (One picture added 29th October 2008)
SYRT sold out to the Caldaire Group some time ago, but a new company bearing the South Yorkshire name has appeared in the Pontefract area. Now it's disappeared again!
4th Nov 2006Canavan Buses (More pictures added 10th October 2007)
This company runs several bus routes around the Scottish new town of Cumbernauld.
4th Nov 2006St George Travel (One picture added 10th February 2008)
A minibus operator running between Washington & Chester-le-Street in County Durham.
4th Nov 2006Martindales of Ferryhill (More pictures added 27th April 2008)
This company has long operated a local service in its home town of Ferryhill, County Durham. Plenty more pics to come soon.
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Dennis Dart/E Lancs P131PPV in Hertford, 7th June 2009
Welcome
Welcome to THE INDEPENDENT BUS. All pictures here are from my negative & slide collection and are copyright John Law.
The independent stage carriage operator is an area of the bus industry that tends to be forgotten, so here is my attempt to rectify the situation. The collection will be greatly increased over the next few weeks. Bookmark this page & keep coming back! There are plenty more collections to come and each collection will be added to soon. Don't forget to look in the "More Collections" area for over 800 independent bus operators.
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BMC saloon BX54VTY in Huddersfield, September 2005
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Paul's Travel, Huddersfield
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