Central Buses Explained

Parent:	Geoff Cross
Founded:	September 2003
Defunct:	24 February 2018
Headquarters:	Perry Barr
Service Area:	Birmingham Coventry Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Shropshire
Service Type:	Bus operator
Depots:	2
Routes:	23 (February 2018)
Fleet:	31 (February 2018)
Website:	www.centralbuses.com

Central Buses^[1] was a bus company based in Birmingham, England.

History

Central Buses was founded in September 2003 by 16-year-old Geoff Cross.^{[2] [3]}

Later, a separate arm of the company was created. Centrad was created under the CEN Group brand, which Central Buses also joined. This supplies electronic equipment to the bus industry.^[2]

Many of the services operated by Central Buses were operated under contract to Transport for West Midlands. All buses were equipped to use prepaid fare cards.^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

In February 2018, Central Buses was purchased by Rotala for £1.95 million, with its 23 services and 31 buses taken over by its Diamond West Midlands subsidiary.^{[8] [9] [10]} Operations ceased at the conclusion of services on 24 February 2018.^{[11] [12]}

Fleet

As of February 2018, the fleet consisted of 31 buses. Fleet livery was red and grey.^[11]

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04754447 Companies House extract company no 4754447
2. http://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/160133/Start-your-own-business-Young-bus-operator-takes-slow-lane-to-success Start your own business: Young bus operator takes slow lane to success
3. "Rotala grows again with £2m Central Buses deal" Buses issue 756 March 2018 page 7
4. News: Buses to trial new pre-paid systems. 1 January 2010 . Express & Star. 21 January 2010.
5. News: Date set for Birmingham's delayed bus smartcard system. John. Patrice. 9 October 2009. Birmingham Mail. 21 January 2010.
6. News: West Midlands public transport users soon to see electronic ticketing system. John. Patrice . 17 October 2009. Birmingham Mail. 21 January 2010.
7. News: Smartcard a step closer on Midlands transport . Authi. Jasbir . 20 January 2010 . Birmingham Mail . 21 January 2010.
8. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515003129/https://cbwmagazine.com/rotala-buys-central-buses/ Rotala buys Central Buses
9. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515003343/http://www.route-one.net/articles/Bus_routes/Rotala_buys_Central_Buses_for__1_95m Rotala buys Central Buses for £1.95 million
10. Web site: Central Buses to become Diamond Bus Services. Diamond Bus. 10 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180411030037/https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/central-buses/. 11 April 2018. dead.
11. "Central Buses bows out in style" Buses issue 757 April 2018 page 10
12. "Central Farewell" Bus & Coach Preservation May 2018 page 21