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09
Dec 2024
Harrogate Bus Company owner buys local bus firm
Transdev has signed an agreement to buy buses and routes from one of Yorkshire’s longest-established bus and coach operators, Reliance Motor Services.
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, will see buses and routes change hands on January 19, 2025.
French-owned transport company Transdev owns the Harrogate Bus Company.
Reliance’s services include the Dalesbus route 74, which operates on Saturdays between York, Harrogate, Otley, Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Burnsall and Grassington.
This and other Reliance routes will become part of Transdev’s York and Country subsidiary based at Rawcliffe in York.
Transdev will acquire 11 buses from Reliance, which has been based at Sutton-on-the-Forest, north of York, for 94 years.
A statement announcing the news today by Transdev said “no jobs will be lost as a result of the agreement”, and both parties were “committed to working together to ensure a smooth and effective transition for customers and colleagues”.
It added timetables “will remain similar to now, with minor revisions to early morning and evening journeys”.
The Dalesbus will be rebranded into Transdev’s York and Country colours.
Affected routes
The Reliance routes which will become part of Transdev’s York and Country network are:
- Dalesbus route 74 – on Saturdays between York, Harrogate, Otley, Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Burnsall and Grassington
- Routes 30, 30X, 30XS and 30SE – linking Thirsk, Sowerby, Raskelf, Easingwold, Shipton and Skelton with York
- Route 31X – York and Country will now operate Reliance’s share of this joint route with East Yorkshire Buses, serving Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley, Ampleforth, Coxwold, Easingwold, Shipton, Skelton and York. Return tickets issued by either operator will continue to be valid on both companies’ buses, as now
- Route 40 – between Easingwold, Stillington, Huby, Sutton on the Forest, York Hospital and York city centre
- School routes 155R and 162R – for students with travel permits, linking Huby and Alne with Outwood Academy Easingwold.
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Transdev managing director Henri Rohard said:
This agreement demonstrates Transdev’s long-term commitment to develop our business here in the north of England. Reliance is a long-established operator with a proud record of customer service, and we will seek to build on this.
Reliance Motor Services co-owner Gary Newby said:
While we are sorry to say farewell to our loyal customers on the routes which will see a change of operator, and to several of our drivers, we know they will be in the best hands. Transdev has invested significantly in an impressive new depot in York and has a strong track record of delivering for its customers.
As a result of today’s announcement, the Transdev day and period bus passes will become valid on York and Country’s newly-expanded network from January 19.
Season tickets issued by Reliance will also continue to be accepted on its former routes for a time following the change, with further announcements expected ahead of the same date.
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