First Northampton

First Northampton[1] was a bus company in Northampton. It was a subsidiary of FirstGroup and part of the First Midlands division. It ceased operating on 14 September 2013.[2][3]

First Northampton
Alexander RH bodied Volvo Citybus
in Northampton during April 2013
ParentFirstGroup
Founded1993
Defunct14 September 2013
HeadquartersNorthampton
Service areaNorthampton
Kingsthorpe
Rectory Farm
Thorplands
Service typeBus services
HubsGreyfriars Bus Station
Depots1
Fleet38 (March 2013)
OperatorFirst Midlands
Websitewww.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton

History
Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro on the Luton Airport shuttle in August 2009

First Northampton was originally a municipal bus company, Northampton Transport Ltd, owned and operated by Northampton Borough Council.[4] In 1993 the council sold the company to the GRT Group, who in April 1995 became part of FirstGroup.[5]

During July 2013 it was announced via Northamptonshire County Council's website that route 4 would be withdrawn on 11 August. It was also later announced that the remaining services would be withdrawn on 14 September 2013.[2][3][6]

Fleet

First Northampton operated a small fleet of Wright Solars but during a fleet reshuffle within First Midlands during May 2012 they were replaced by older Wright Axcess-Ultralows bodied Scania L94UBs and Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L113CRLs, which were transferred from First Norwich. Additionally, a small number of Alexander RH bodied Volvo Citybuses inherited from Northampton Transport remained, as well as two Wright Eclipse Geminis which later moved to First Leicester.[7]

Following the withdrawal of a number of services during June 2013, some vehicles were transferred to other FirstGroup operations. Following further reductions in services during August 2013 a number of older vehicles including the three remaining Volvo Citybuses followed. At the time of the final services being withdrawn the fleet consisted of nine Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L113CRLs.[6]

As at March 2013 the fleet consisted of 38 buses.[8]

Services

First Northampton operated all of their services from Greyfriars Bus Station.

First Northampton confirmed via their Twitter account on 29 May 2013 that they would be withdrawing services 12, 23, 28, 29 and 30,[9][10] most of the services were taken over by Stagecoach, Uno and Country Lion.

First Northampton's school contracts concluded in July 2013 and were not renewed.

Service 4 to Obelisk Rise was withdrawn along with the Sunday operations of services 2 & 4A on 11 August. Services 2 & 4A were both withdrawn on 14 September 2013.[3]

Depot

First Northampton operated out of the former Northampton Transport depot on St James's Road. Following the withdrawal of the final services, the depot remained in operation until 22 October 2013 to service the First Northampton operated Luton Airport Parkway railway station - Luton Airport service, when it was transferred to First Essex's Chelmsford depot.[11]

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References
  1. Companies House extract company no 1990372 Northampton Transport Limited
  2. News of bus services changes Northampton County Council
  3. Last day of Operation for First Services in Northampton FirstGroup
  4. Northampton Borough council moves to privatise bus operations Local Government Chronicle 27 August 1993
  5. Badgerline links with GRT The Independent 5 April 1995
  6. Bus firm pulls services out of Northampton Northampton Chronicle 25 July 2013
  7. First Midlands ukbuses.co.uk
  8. FirstGroup Fleetlist Steve White
  9. https://www.twitter.com/FirstNthampton/status/339708625092227072?p=v
  10. http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton/travel_news/service_updates/?item=8351&conf=0
  11. Office of the Traffic Commissioner Notices and Proceedings September 2013 Office of the Traffic Commissioner 4 September 2013
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