Whittles
Whittles is a coach tour operator based in Kidderminster, England.
Parent | Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel |
---|---|
Founded | 1926 |
Headquarters | Kidderminster |
Service type | Coach operator |
Depots | 1 |
Website | www.whittlecoach.co.uk |
History
Whittles was founded in 1926 in Highley taking miners to and from villages to the coal pits, and hauling coal in between shift changes.[1]
In October 1980, it commenced operating express services from Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to London under the Goldhawk brand.[2][3] In 1981 it began operating these services in an alliance with National Express.[4] In 1990, Narburgh Coaches of Alveley was purchased with 16 vehicles, taking the fleet to 53.[5][6]
In January 2004, the business was purchased by East Yorkshire Motor Services with 49 vehicles.[6][7] In December 2014, the coach business was sold to Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel with nine coaches.[8][9][10]
The contracted National Express services were taken over by National Express, while the local bus services ceased on 5 January 2015.[11][12][13]
References
- A little bit of history Whittles
- Whittling Commercial Motor 20 September 1980
- Go Whittle Goldhawk Commercial Motor 27 September 1980
- Leapfrog to Brum Commercial Motor 11 April 1981
- Go Whittle goes for Narburgh fleet Commercial Motor 8 November 1990
- Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. pp. 193/194. ISBN 978-0-9552876-3-3.
- EYMS to buy Whittle Bus & Coach Professional 9 January 2004
- Johnsons to acquire Whittle's coach operationBus & Coach Buyer 18 December 2014
- Johnsons New Owners of Whittles Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel
- Henley's Johnsons to buy Whittles Route One 18 December 2014
- Whittle Coach & Bus Future Whittle Coach & Bus 16 December 2014
- Johnsons acquires Whittle from EYMS Group Transport News Brief 18 December 2014
- Peter Shipp Bus & Coach Buyer 9 March 2015