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The Harrogate Bus Company
ParentTransdev Blazefield
FoundedNovember 1906; 118 years ago (1906-11)
HeadquartersHarrogate, North Yorkshire
England
Service area
Service typePublic transport
StationsHarrogate Bus Station Knaresborough Bus Station
Fleet57 (as of June 2024)[citation needed]
Managing DirectorHenri Rohard[1]
Websitetransdevbus.co.uk/the-harrogate-bus-company/

The Harrogate Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

History

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In November 1906, The Harrogate Road Car Company was formed. Initially operating steam-powered buses, the company adopted conventionally-fuelled petrol buses in 1911.

In 1924, the company was absorbed into Tilling & British Automobile Traction and renamed the Harrogate & District Road Car Company. Following the company's expansion, it was further renamed West Yorkshire Road Car Company in 1927, to reflect the wider service area provided.

In 1948, along with other companies that were then part of the Tilling Group, West Yorkshire Road Car Company was nationalised.

In 1968, West Yorkshire Road Car Company became a subsidiary of the National Bus Company.

In 1987, West Yorkshire Road Car Company was sold in a management buyout to the AJS Group, owned by former East Yorkshire Motor Services managing director, Alan Stephenson. The business was split into smaller companies in December 1988, one of which became Harrogate & District Travel.

Following the deregulation of bus services in 1986, Harrogate Independent Travel was set up by a number of West Yorkshire Road Car Company drivers, in a bid to challenge their former employer. The company was subsequently purchased by AJS Group in April 1989.[2]

In August 1991, Harrogate & District Travel was included in the purchase of AJS Group by Blazefield Group, following the sale of seven of the company's eight remaining bus firms at the time – a deal valued at £2.2 million.[3]

In October 1996, the company further expanded, following the transfer of Cowie Group's operations in the cathedral city of Ripon.[4]

In April 2005, the company was awarded the contract to operate service 767, which ran between Harrogate and Leeds Bradford Airport. The contract was subsequently awarded to Dales & District in April 2010. The route is now served by the Flyer A2 service, operated by Transdev York & Country. It was introduced in September 2020, as part of a joint partnership between Leeds Bradford Airport, Transdev Blazefield and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.[5][6][7][8][9]

In January 2006, French-based operator Transdev acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.[10][11]

A Transdev in Harrogate Nidderdale Branch branded Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE in Harrogate, operating service 24 in August 2011

In 2010, the company was rebranded under the name Transdev in Harrogate. As part of this, a new butterscotch and burgundy livery was introduced across the fleet, with the exception of the double-decker Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL vehicles dedicatedly branded for the company's Leeds to Harrogate and Ripon route 36, which received a revision to its original black, red and grey livery in 2009.

In 2011, the Wright Eclipse Gemini route 36 fleet underwent a refurbishment program. The route received a new identity – named ‘36 City Connect’ – and a new red and black livery was introduced, alongside the addition of new leather coach-style seats, and the introduction of a 2+1 seating arrangement behind the staircase upstairs. The buses were also fitted with new new front fascias, as seen on their facelifted second generation model, and new powertrains.[citation needed]

The company also became involved in a bus war with local independent operator Connexionsbuses in 2011. It concerned bus services operating in and around the market town of Wetherby.[12][13] In the same year, a retendering exercise by North Yorkshire County Council saw all of the company's council contracted routes transferred to other operators. An exception was service X59, which operated between Harrogate and Skipton via Bolton Abbey. Initially, the service was operated commercially and at a reduced frequency,[14] prior to its eventual withdrawal in March 2013.[15]

A Harrogate Connect branded Optare Versa in Harrogate, operating service 3 in September 2015

In 2012, the company introduced eight brand-new single-decker Optare Versa vehicles to serve local routes within Harrogate. These buses operated on routes 2 (to Bilton), 3 (to Jennyfield), and 6 (to Pannal Ash) under the new brand name Harrogate Connect,[16][17] with the original butterscotch and burgundy livery being revised and replaced by a new red and black colour scheme. During 2013, the remainder of the fleet underwent a transformation. All services (except for the dedicatedly branded route 36) adopted the Harrogate Connect identity.

A Harrogate Bus Company branded Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL in Leeds, operating service 7 in May 2018

In 2016, the company underwent a significant transformation. As part of this, the company rebranded as The Harrogate Bus Company,[18][19] and initiated a fleet modernisation program. The first phase involved the delivery of fourteen brand new high-specification Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL double-decker buses for operation on route 36. These new buses replaced older Wright Eclipse Gemini vehicles, and the route received a new identity – named ‘Riding Redefined’ – along with a new two-tone red and black livery.[20][21] The new fleet entered service in late January.[22]

Later that year, a new two-tone red livery was also introduced for the standard fleet, and ten Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE single-deckers were refurbished for operation on route 1,[23] including six existing buses and four new transfers from other Transdev subsidiaries. These, along with two Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL and B9TLs recently replaced from the 36 fleet, were upgraded with modern passenger amenities such as WiFi connectivity, USB charging capabilities and audio/visual next stop information, and were also fitted with superchargers to reduce NOx emissions. Additionally, the Eclipse Urbans were equipped with new front fascias, as seen on their facelifted second generation model. The refurbished Wright Eclipse Geminis entered service in June 2016,[24] while the Eclipse Urbans entered service on route 1 on 17 July,[25] replacing older Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE single-deckers that were branded for the route.

In July 2017, a new brand was introduced for the route 770/771, resulting in the services being renumbered and rebranded as the “Superior 70/71”.[26] The fleet underwent significant upgrades, with Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE single-deck vehicles transferred from Transdev’s Burnley operations and refurbished to match the WiFi connectivity, USB charging capabilities, and audio/visual next stop information features as seen on the refurbished route 1 buses. On 23 July, the new fleet commenced service on the route,[26][27] gradually replacing the entire existing fleet of Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown vehicles, which were phased out of service in Harrogate by 2018. However, in April 2018, due to the loss of council funding for the 70 to Connexionsbuses,[28] the 71 was once again renumbered and rebranded, now operating as the “Simple 7".[29]

In partnership with DalesBus, the service between Harrogate and Skipton was reintroduced in May 2021 – the first direct service between the two towns for eight years.[30][31][a] As of April 2022, four buses per day operate on summer Saturdays.

In 2024, the company's entire fleet will be converted to operation with battery-electric buses. Partially funded by the UK government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, 20 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro single-deck vehicles and 19 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double-deck vehicles – worth £21 million collectively – have been ordered, with the first Enviro400EV revealed at an unveiling event in June.[32][33] They were announced to be expected to start entering service from early September.[34][35][36][37][38]

2024 also saw the introduction of route 4, a service linking King Edwin Park housing estate with Harrogate.[39]

Services and branding

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A selection of historic buses and liveries

The Harrogate Bus Company

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Following the rebrand of the company in 2016, a two-tone red livery was introduced for local bus services in and around the spa town of Harrogate. As well as serving as a corporate livery, it is also used as a base for dedicated route brands such as the 1, the 7, and the Harrogate Electrics network.

In addition to these routes, the Harrogate Bus Company operates several other services under its corporate brand, including the 21 (Knaresborough to Boroughbridge and Roecliffe), the 24 (Harrogate to Pateley Bridge), the 59 (Harrogate to Skipton), and the X98/X99 (Wetherby to Leeds).

Harrogate Electrics

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A Harrogate Electrics branded Volvo 7900e at Harrogate Bus Station, in January 2019

Local services operating in and around Harrogate are operated by a fleet of eight high-specification, battery-electric Volvo 7900 single-deck vehicles in dedicated branding. The vehicles, which were announced in February 2017,[40] were introduced into service in July 2018. The project was funded partly by Transdev (£1.7 million), with a further £2.25 million of funding granted from the Government's Low Emission Bus Scheme.[41][42] Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next-stop announcements.

The Harrogate Electrics network encompasses the company's local routes within Harrogate – the 2 to Bilton, the 3 to Jennyfield, the 4 to King Edwin Park, and the 6 to Pannal Ash and Beckwith Knowle Business Park. The 2 and 3 operate at a frequency of every 20 minutes, the 4 operates every hour, and the 6 operates every 30 minutes.

In October 2018, the 24 to Pateley Bridge became mainly electric-bus operated, with 2 battery-electric Optare Solo SR EVs branded in the Harrogate Electrics livery allocated for the route,[43] however these buses have since been withdrawn from use.

The 1

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A route 1 branded Wright Eclipse Urban in Knaresborough, in October 2020

The 1 brand encompasses a group of routes (1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D), which operate between Harrogate and Knaresborough via Starbeck. Routes operate at a combined ten minute frequency between Harrogate and Knaresborough, with services extending at a reduced frequency to housing estates within Knaresborough – Aspin (1A), Eastfield (1B), Carmires (1C) and The Pastures (1D). The non-suffixed route 1 serves Harrogate, Starbeck, and Knaresborough only.

Services are operated by a fleet of Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE single-deck vehicles, dedicatedly branded for the route in a two-tone red livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next-stop information.

The 7

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A route 7 branded Wright Eclipse Urban 2 in Clifford, in July 2019

The 7 runs between Harrogate and Leeds via Wetherby, Boston Spa and Seacroft at an hourly frequency.

Services are operated by a fleet of Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE single-deck vehicles, dedicatedly branded for the route in a two-tone red livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop information.

The 36

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A route 36 branded Wright Gemini 3 in Harrogate, in August 2022
For more information about this service, see Harrogate bus route 36.

The 36 is one of the group's flagship services, running between Leeds and Harrogate via Harewood up to every ten minutes, and extending to Ripon via Ripley every 30 minutes.

Services are operated by a fleet of high-specification Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL double-deck vehicles, dedicatedly branded for the route in a two-tone black and red livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging, coach-style seating with a 2+1 arrangement upstairs, an on-board library and audio-visual next stop information.[44][45][46]

Fleet and operations

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Depots

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The former West Yorkshire Road Car Company depot at Grove Park in Harrogate was sold for redevelopment in the early 1990s. Following which Harrogate & District Travel operated from two depots; minibuses being based at Camwal Road in Starbeck and conventional buses at Manse Lane in Knaresborough.

Both depots soon became too small to accommodate an increasing fleet and the former Vibroplant depot on Prospect Road in Starbeck was purchased. The whole fleet was then operated from a single site, with the exception of one vehicle that remained out-stationed at Upper Nidderdale High School in Pateley Bridge.

As of June 2024, the company continues to operate from the single depot on Prospect Road in Starbeck.

Vehicles

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As of June 2024, the fleet consists of 57 diesel-powered and battery-electric single and double-deck buses, manufactured by Optare, Volvo, Wrightbus, and East Lancs/Scania.[citation needed]

Notes

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  1. ^ The service was reintroduced as service 59.

References

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  1. ^ "Our new electric buses". Transdev. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. ^ "AJS swallows Challenger". Commercial Motor. 20 April 1989. p. 18.
  3. ^ "AJS sells remaining bus firms". Commercial Motor. 8 August 1991. p. 16.
  4. ^ Jenkinson, Keith A. (1999). Small is Beautiful: The Story of the AJS Group and Blazefield Holdings. Bradford: Autobus Review. ISBN 0907834426.
  5. ^ Dougall, Emily (8 September 2020). "Transdev Flyer takes off to Leeds Bradford Airport". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Transdev launches Flyer buses, connecting Yorkshire with Leeds Bradford Airport". Harrogate Informer. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  7. ^ Chalmers, Graham (1 September 2020). "New Flyer buses to 'revolutionise' Harrogate passengers' travel at Leeds Bradford airport". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Transdev Flyer airport venture takes to the roads in Yorkshire". Routeone. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  9. ^ Peat, Chris (1 September 2020). "Transdev's Flyer takes off". Bus & Coach Buyer. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Transdev acquires Blazefield Group". Bus & Coach Professional. 7 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  11. ^ Briggs, Ian (9 January 2006). "A new stop for Blazefield". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Harrogate to Wetherby bus war breaks out". BBC News. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  13. ^ "War erupts over bus service". Harrogate Advertiser. 9 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  14. ^ "No plans to restore X59 bus service". Craven Herald & Pioneer. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  15. ^ Tate, Lesley (7 February 2013). "Skipton to Harrogate bus service is axed". Craven Herald & Pioneer. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  16. ^ "Top ten Versas for Transdev Blazefield". Optare. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Latest News – Welcome to HARROGATE CONNECT ~ Transdev". www.harrogatebus.co.uk. 7 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Harrogate Bus Company celebrates 110 years of service". Coach & Bus Week. No. 1253. 16 August 2016. p. 10.
  19. ^ "Transdev rolls out two more rebrands". Buses. No. 738. September 2016. p. 9.
  20. ^ "Route 36 re-launched". CBW. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  21. ^ "The 36: Riding, Redefined". Transdev. 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  22. ^ "RIDING. REDEFINED. The new 36 has arrived". Transdev in Harrogate. 22 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Latest News – Amazing buses for the 1 ~ Transdev". harrogatebus.co.uk. 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  24. ^ @harrogatebus (2 June 2016). "Our new #HarrogateBusCompany brand is hitting the road soon, celebrating our 110 years & why we're proud to be local" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ @harrogatebus (17 July 2016). "Your buses on the 1 to #Knaresborough are getting an amazing makeover. Two are out there now - hope you like them!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ a b "Latest News – Superior 70 & 71 – now better than ever ~ Transdev". harrogatebus.co.uk. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  27. ^ "Latest News – Changes to our buses in Harrogate from Sunday 23 July ~ Transdev". harrogatebus.co.uk. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  28. ^ "Revision to X70 to include Follifoot and Rudding Park – Connexions Buses". 19 September 2018. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Latest News – Simple, fast and direct – 70 & 71 become 7 from 15 April ~ Transdev". harrogatebus.co.uk. 25 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  30. ^ Maguire, Brogan (29 April 2021). "Launch of new scenic bus route from Harrogate to Skipton every Saturday". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  31. ^ Tate, Lesley (20 May 2021). "Summer bus services to Harrogate and Malham get underway this weekend". Craven Herald & Pioneer. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  32. ^ "Harrogate bus firm unveil brand new electric buses". Your Harrogate. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  33. ^ Chalmers, Graham (18 June 2024). "Crowds get a glimpse of Harrogate's first all-electric double decker as a revolution in the roads begins in style". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Our new electric buses". Transdev. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  35. ^ Plummer, John (16 August 2023). "Harrogate Bus Company places £21m order for 39 electric buses". The Stray Ferret. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  36. ^ "Transdev orders eCitaro and Enviro400EV for Harrogate". routeone. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  37. ^ Chalmers, Graham (20 May 2024). "This is when Harrogate new £21 million electric bus fleet will be launched and what passengers can expect". Harrogate Advertiser.
  38. ^ Halford, Paul (18 June 2024). "New bus for iconic Harrogate 36 service is 'another level'". routeone. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  39. ^ "changes at Harrogate from 7 April". Transdev. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Volvo receives order for eight electric buses to Harrogate in the UK". Volvo Bus. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  41. ^ "Harrogate to get electric bus fleet". Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  42. ^ Harrison, Matt (29 July 2018). "Power to the people! Harrogate's Electrics are live". Transport Designed. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  43. ^ "DalesBus News" (PDF). Campaign for Better Transport. September 2018.
  44. ^ "Transdev Harrogate redefines the 36". Bus & Coach Buyer. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  45. ^ "Route 36 re-launched". CBW. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  46. ^ "The 36: Riding, Redefined". Transdev. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
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