CityFleet Networks explained

CityFleet Networks
Parent:ComfortDelGro (100%)
Founded:July 2001
Service Area:London
Edinburgh
Aberdeen
Liverpool
Service Type:Coach services
Taxi services
Operator:Westbus UK
ComCab
Comfort Executive
CityFleet Business
Website:cityfleet.co.uk/

CityFleet Networks, also known as CityFleet, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based ComfortDelGro that operates coach services under the brand Westbus UK, as well as taxi services in a number of UK cities under the brands ComCab, CityFleet Business and Comfort Executive.[1] [2]

It was initially set up in July 2001 as a joint venture between Singapore's Delgro Corporation (later ComfortDelGro) (51%) and Australia-based Cabcharge Australia (49%).[3] [4] In Australia, a similar joint venture between the two companies, known as ComfortDelGro Cabcharge (CDC), would later be set up in 2005 to purchase the Westbus Group from National Express, which included Westbus Australia and Westbus UK. Westbus UK was reorganised to be under CityFleet, and continued to operate independently from the Westbus in Australia.

In June 2017, Cabcharge sold its 49% stake to ComfortDelGro.[5] [6] Earlier that year, ComfortDelGro Cabcharge also became wholly owned by ComfortDelGro and renamed ComfortDelGro Australia.[7]

Operations

CityFleet Networks operates:

Westbus UK

In 1986, Westbus Australia purchased ADP Travel Services, Hounslow and Swinards Coaches, Ashford and operated them as Westbus UK.[8] [9]

The coach business of Armchair Passenger Transport, a bus and coach operation purchased by ComfortDelGro subsidiary Metroline in 2004, was amalgamated into Westbus UK in 2006.[10] [11]

Westbus UK, along with Westbus Australia, was purchased by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge in 2005.[9] Westbus UK was reorganised under CityFleet Networks, and continues to operate independently from the Westbus in Australia (now defunct) till this day, despite bearing the latter's name, old logo and livery.

Taxi services

ComCab, also known as Computer Cab, operates taxi account, booking and dispatch services in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Liverpool, and operates a fleet of 6,300 radio taxis and private hire vehicles providing a service to local business and private customers.[12] [13] [14] It was first established in 1974.[15] CityFleet acquired Merseyside Radio Meter Cabs Ltd (better known as Merseycabs) in October 2008 and absorbed it into the Comcab business.[16] In April 2018, CityFleet acquired Dial-a-cab, which is based in London.[17] This would give a total fleet of 3000 taxis in the UK.

Comfort Executive offers executive car chauffeur services, as well as business transport. It was originally formed in 1974 as Flightlink International, and joined ComfortDelGro in 2006.[18]

CityFleet also operates CityFleet Business.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Us. CityFleet Networks. 10 August 2018.
  2. http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/SC221290 Companies House extract company no SC221290
  3. Web site: Company Overview of CityFleet Networks Limited. Bloomberg. 10 August 2018.
  4. Web site: Annual Report 2001. Cabcharge. 10 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313021153/https://www.cabcharge.com.au/getattachment/76d099ed-f9f8-4bcb-a26f-c14265588b29/2001-Annual-Report. 13 March 2018. live.
  5. Web site: ComfortDelGro to buy remaining stake in CityFleet Networks for S$14 million. Business Times. 28 June 2017. 10 August 2018.
  6. Web site: Cabcharge sells stake in CityFleet for $13.3m. 29 June 2017. 10 August 2018.
  7. Web site: ComfortDelGro buys out Aussie subsidiary Cabcharge for $196m. The Straits Times. 21 December 2016. 10 August 2018.
  8. http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/2nd-may-1987/19/brightons-buses-shine-on Brighton's buses shine on
  9. Web site: Our History. Westbus UK. 10 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180810113718/https://www.westbus.co.uk/our-history. 10 August 2018. live.
  10. Web site: History. Metroline. 10 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180810114110/https://www.metroline.co.uk/about/history. 10 August 2018. live.
  11. http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=338&categoryid=0 Armchair bough by Metroline
  12. http://www.comfortdelgro.com.sg/investor-relations.aspx?id=177 Annual Report 31 December 2012
  13. http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20140929/pdf/42sjjhj36d3kx5.pdf Annual Report year ended 30 June 2014
  14. https://www.cityfleet.co.uk/companies CityFleet Website - Companies
  15. Web site: About Us. ComCab. 10 August 2018.
  16. Web site: CABCHARGE EXPANDS INTEREST IN THE UK WITH JOINT VENTURE PARTNER. Australian Financial Review. 11 August 2018.
  17. Web site: ComfortDelGro buys London taxi circuit operator Dial-a-Cab for £1.2m in UK expansion. The Straits Times. 19 April 2018. 10 August 2018.
  18. Web site: About Us. Comfort Executive. 10 August 2018.