Which independent operator do you miss the most?

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
£1.08 return - bet that required the driver having loads of change lol.

[CKC 312L]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
The one's I miss as already mentioned Lofty's in and around the Chester area. Also in that area Devaway between them they had a nice little collection of various vehicles.
I also miss the original Helms of Eastham before a certain Mr Cherry acquired it. Not only did they run coaches but also a taxi company from his little office in Eastham.
And two more to add although not bus operators Hardings and Landliner

[knutstransport]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
I miss Star Line Travel who used to operate in the Knutsford and Altrincham areas before being taking over by British Bus t/a North Western Road Car Co. They used to have a very modern well presented fleet and had local contact phone numbers painted on the back - 01565 or 0161 depending on which depot they were operating from. They also had a coaches division which was a joint operation with Bullocks which was legally named Ambassador Coaches but traded as Star Line Travel.

[knutstransport]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?

(01/12/2015 19:01)St Helens Rider Wrote:  1 Shearings when they ran buses ran some very interesting routes like the 140 (later became 50) which ran Warrington - St Helens - Prescot - a route much missed today. Also at one point they ran a 651 Huyton - Prescot - St Helens - Newton-Le-willows - Ashton - Atherton.

They were also the operator who started the unusual 288 Altrincham-Wilmslow-Knutsford route, which is now the 88.

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?

(01/12/2015 19:01)St Helens Rider Wrote:  I'm going back quite a long time which a few members probably won't remember. I have 2 independents in mind.

1 Shearings when they ran buses ran some very interesting routes like the 140 (later became 50) which ran Warrington - St Helens - Prescot - a route much missed today. Also at one point they ran a 651 Huyton - Prescot - St Helens - Newton-Le-willows - Ashton - Atherton.

2. Ogdens first attempt at running buses included a 14 which ran Earlestown - Haydock - St Helens - Rainhill - Prescot - a through link much missed today.

Just looking back through the thread and spotted the spelling on point 2 - damn autocorrect. Apologies for any initial confusion at the time.

[bus401]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
I miss it not being Birkenhead Transport,Wallasey Corporation motors,Crosville motor services and Liverpool corporation transport,it was far more interesting in the old days.

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
1. David Tanner's of St Helens - Used to talk to David a lot as he would always drive the 70

2. JPT - Used to like the mixed fleet as a Spotter

[wirralbus]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
Toppings with there Leyland Lynx's which they bought specifically for the route 16/17 which where the Merseytravel 216/217 routes made commercial.

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?

(14/11/2017 19:03)wirralbus Wrote:  Toppings with there Leyland Lynx's which they bought specifically for the route 16/17 which where the Merseytravel 216/217 routes made commercial.

And they had a very interesting mix of vehicles on the Liverpool side of the Mersey when they ran the 106/116/140 during the evenings and Sundays. Also I remember they ran a very comfortable minibus on the 275 (Huyton - Prescot) around 1987/1988 (think the daytime service was a 75A (Liverpool - Huyton - Prescot run by Merseybus)).

[WAITING FOR THE 437]

RE: Which independent operator do you miss the most?
Liverpool City Coaches Original operators of the 193 Upton Village - via Nocturm Woodside On a Sunday & Bank Holiday

Red Rider also an old favourite PMT colours !