HISTORY OF
HEREFORD & WORCESTER COUNTY
SMALL OPERATORS BUS SERVICES

This section is planned to show all changes to smaller operators' routes in Hereford and Worcester from just pre-deregulation (Summer 1986) until the end of the County (March 1999).  I am slowly improving the format of the section by reformatting each alphabetical section.

To move to another page choose the first letter for the operator in which you are interested :-

A B C D F G H J K L M N-O P R S T W Y
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OPERATORS : LETTER M

A H Martin & Sons of Cross Ash :

30 (Ross-on-Wye - Howle Hill - Ruardean, TTh)
13 April 1993 : Gained from Grindle's Coaches

33 (Llangrove - Llangarron - Ross, ThS)
9 February 1989  : Acquired from Dean Forest Coaches, without the Joys Green
extension.
10 April 1993 : Lost to Blue Line Coaches

33 (Symonds Yat - Llangrove - Llangarron -Glewstone - Ross, TThS)
25 February 1995 : Gained from Yeomans

35 (Ross - Walford - Lydbrook - Coleford, NSu)
15 February 1989 : 0758 Lydbrook - Ross-on-Wye (Sch) and 1550 Ross-on-Wye - Coleford (M-F) acquired from Dean Forest Coaches. The remainder of the service is operated mainly by Dukes Travel but with certain journeys by Soudley Valley Coaches and K.W.Beard (within W.T.A. only) and Paul Willetts Coaches (Saturday morning journey).
4 September 1989 : 1600 journey from Ross to Coleford  acquired by Smiths of Ledbury whilst the morning schooldays journey on the same route ceased.   A short journey from Tudorville to John Kyrle School (Sch) remains with Martins.
10 April 1993 : NSu peak journeys won from Cheltenham and Gloucester, although the morning peak journey now runs Saturday only.

36 (Ross-on-Wye - Greytree & Three Crosses Circular, NSu)
1 June 1986 : Introduced, replacing Red & White 36.  Two S jnys extend to/from Brampton Abbotts, replacing Dean Forest Coaches.
12 December 1988 : Revised consequent upon changes to the Dean Forest Coaches service.
13 February 1989 : Journeys acquired from Dean Forest Coaches, integrated with Martin's existing service.
4 September 1989 : Amended. A separate Saturday journey to and from Brampton Abbotts is now provided as service 459, rather than diversion of a Greytree journey.
10 April 1993 : Last journey replaced by diversion of a journey on Cheltenham & Gloucester 34 from the same date.

52 (Llangarron - Welsh Newton Common - Symonds Yat - Monmouth, F)
10 February 1989 : acquired from Dean Forest Coaches without the Joys Green extension.
16 April 1993 : Lost to Yeomans Canyon Travel

61 (Ross-on-Wye - Monmouth via Whitchurch) (NSu)
26 February 1990 : Acquired from Smiths Motors  with additional journeys being provided in the late afternoon. All journeys now run via Crockers Ash.
10 April 1993 : Lost to Red and White,

68 Ross-on-Wye - Hope Mansell / Dancing Green Circular (Th)
16 February 1989 : acquired from Dean Forest Coaches
15 April 1993 : Lost to Blue Line

459 (Ross-on-Wye - Brampton Abbotts, S)
4 September 1989 : Commenced, replacing diversion of a Greytree journey.
 833 (Glewstone Cross - Llangarron - St Owens Cross - Baysham - Sellack Marsh - Bridstow - John Kyrle School - Ross-on-Wye) (Sch)
3 January 1989 : School contract service made available to the public.
5 September 1989 :  Ceased

883 (Crockers Ash - Whitchurch - Glewstone - Ross-on-Wye)
5 September 1989 : Introduced.

935 (Mitcheldean Rank Xerox - Ross - Lydbrook)
2 January 1991 : See 987 below.
12 April 1993 : Lost to Duke's Travel.

987 (Mitcheldean Rank Xerox - Ross - Kerne Bridge)
26 October 1986 : Gained from Willetts of Yorkley.
2 January 1991 : Afternoon peak journey extended via Ruardean and Joys Green to Lydbrook, being renumbered 935. On Fridays, when th works at Mitcheldean closes at midday, this journey commences at Ross-on-Wye.

Sandyway - Monmouth via St. Weonards, Welsh Newton (WF)
26 October 1986 : Commenced
10 September 1987 : Forward journey extended back to Hereford, running via
Grafton and Wormelow Tump.
16 December 1988 : Wednesday service withdrawn leaving only the Friday service.
20 January 1989 : Friday service (remainder) withdrawn . Changes to NationalWelsh service X49 replace this service.

Trewen - Llangrove - Llangarron - Thorn - Skakes - Ross-on-Wye (Sch)
4 November 1985 : Acquired from Greystones Coachways
16 December 1988 : Ceased (Replaced by 833)

Hereford - Wormelow - Monmouth (NSu)
28 July 1986 : Commenced, supplementary jnys only
26 October 1986 : Lost to Red and White.

St. Weonards - Hereford via Garway, Orcop, Haywood (NSu)
1 January 1986 : Gained from Yeomans Canyon Travel
28 July 1986 : S jnys diverted to double-run to Monkton Place
26/10/86 : Completely revised, with M-F pk and F off-peak running from Cross Ash via Skenfrith to Garway, then current route, MTTh off-peak from Cross Ash via Skenfrith, Garway, Broad Oak, Old Pike, St. Weonards, Wormelow, Haywood, WS off-peak from Cross Ash S, from Broad Oak W via Garway, Bagwyllidiart, Kilpeck, Much Dewchurch,Cobhall Common.
10/9/87 : 1010 journey from Garway commences Monmuth at 0945 on Wednesdays (see Sandyway - Monmouth service for subsequent history).
5 September 1989 : Passed to Midland Red West following retendering.

The timetable of 36 (Ross-on-Wye - Greytree Estate) was revised from 31 August 1996, with the loss of the evening peak journey.  The limited supplementary service on 35 (Ross-on-Wye - Coleford, NSu) was also revised with Martins now providing only one return Saturday journey beyond Joys Green.  Martins of Cross Ash : Operation of 443 (Grosmont - Pontrilas, W) was changed to a Saturday with effect from 21 December 1996.  A.H. Martin and Sons of Cross Ash : 443 (Cross Ash - Pontrilas, S) was withdrawn after operation on 20 September 1997.  A.H. Martin & Sons : 3 Nov 1997 : Two Saturday round trips between Ross and Tudorville added to 35 (Ross - Coleford, NSu), belatedly replacing reductions in service by Soudley Valley.
 
 

Metrowest (Black Country Buses Ltd.)

This operator took over services 765 and 765A between Stourbridge and Hagley R.C. High School from West Midlands Travel from September 1993.

Midland Red North of Cannock

175 (Inkford Brook - Solihull via Wythall, Grimes Hill, Truemans Heath, Drakes Cross, Hollywood, Maypole, Majors Green and Shirley, S) commenced on 15 June 1996 on emergency contract following withrawal by Buzzways.  Midland Red North : 175 (Inkford - Solihull,S) ceased after operation on 27 April 1997 as it carried insufficient passengers.
 
 

MHS Travel i.e. Mini Hire Services (Jordan) of Stourport:

2 (Kidderminster - Bewdley - Bark Hill, NSu)
20 July 1991 : Mid-evening journey commenced supplementing the Midland Red West service.
23 April 1992 :  Withdrawn without replacement.

7 (Greenhill - Kidderminster, Early M-F)
4 January 1995 : Transferred from Go Whittle by mutual agreement.
26 April 1996 :  Withdrawn without replacement

15A (Kidderminster - Wilden Top - Stourport, NSu)
20 February 1994 : Won from Midland Red West, Stevensons and Go Whittle. Now serves the Hartlebury Park Estate in addition to 305.
2 September 1995 : Lost to Midland Red West  the services being substantially revised.

15B (Areley Kings - The Walshes - Stourport - Wilden - Aggborough - Kidderminster, NSu)
2 January 1993 :  Experimental evening service commenced.   At the Kidderminster end the service loops via the Bus Station and the Railway Station, certain journeys deviate via Wilden Top and the last journey from Kidderminster diverts at Wilden to Hartlebury, not serving Stourport.
Mid-1993 : Wilden Top journeys diverted further into housing estate.
24 February 1995 : Discontinued without replacement  having failed to carry sufficient passengers.

151  Droitwich - Hanbury - Feckenham - New End - Astwood Bank - Redditch (S)
7 June 1986 : Gained from Midland Red West.
26 January 1987 : Withdrawn.

212 (Stourport - Hartlebury Industrial Estate via Bewdley, Blakebrook, Habberley, Kidderminster, Stourport, Chadwick Bank, M-F)
28 January 1991 :  Experimental service commenced.
4 March 1991 : Revised route  omitting the large sweep of Kidderminster housing estates to operate direct from Blakebrook into Kidderminster centre.
27 September 1991 : Withdrawn without replacement, having carried very few passengers.

214 (Stourport - Bewdley)
 6 April 1991 : Acquired from Harries Coaches on tendering.
30 August 1991 :  Lost to Midland Red West, who actually commenced off-peak replacement service 211 in July due to a requirement to cover the Lower Lickhill section of route.

305 (Kidderminster - Hartlebury - Stourport, NSu)
20 February 1994 : Won from Midland Red West, Stevensons and Go Whittle.
2 September 1995 : Lost to Midland Red West  the services being substantially revised.

580 (Halfpenny Green - Kinver - Lower Kingsford - Wolverley Village - Kidderminster, ThS)
1 July 1989 : Commenced (supported by Staffordshire County Council). Replaces a Regency Minibuses route.
11 April 1992 : Lost to Midland Red West
 

Morris's Coaches (C.G. Morris) of Bromyard :

Worcester (Angel Place) - Lower Wick via St. Johns (NSu)
26 October 1986 : Commenced
26 January 1987 : Ceased

Worcester - Broadwas - Bromyard (NSu)
26 October 1986 : Commenced
26 January 1987 : Reduced to single jny M-F from Worcester only.
3 September 1988 : Single journey service withdrawn.

Bredenbury - Bromyard (Sch)
29 April 1988: Ceased after operation on this date.

Knightwick - Worcester (W)
3 September 1988: Withdrawn following retendering

422 Bromyard - Suckley - Alfrick - Worcester (NSu)
30 April 1988 : 1345(Sat) journey from Bromyard retimed to 1430.
3 September 1988: Reduced to run on Saturdays only, following retendering
1 July 1989 : Saturday afternoon service passed to Midland Red West. This leaves Morris's with 2 Saturday morning journeys on this route.

425 (Bromyard - Bishops Frome - Worcester, S)
23 March 1990 : Taken over by Midland Red West under contract.

482 (Bromyard - Steensbridge - Leominster) (NSu)
27 July 1988: Service acquired from Hemming Coachways
4 December 1989: M-F peak journeys curtailed to commence at Steensbridge and taken over by Lugg Valley Motors.

929(Bromyard - Bishops Frome - Newtown - Sun Valley Works - Hereford) (M-F)
3 February 1990 : Evening journey acquired by D R M Coaches. D R M now runs the full service.

955 (Bromyard - Leominster - Ford Bridge - Englands Gate - Marden - Moreton-on-Lugg - Hereford, TTh)
27 March 1990 : Service commenced, leaving Bromyard at 1400, returning from Burghill, St Marys Hospital at 1645, running via County Hospital, General Hospital and Eye Hospital in Hereford. Bus used has a wheelchair lift.

956 (Bromyard - Bishops Frome - Bosbury - Ledbury - Bartestree - Hereford, MWF)
26 March 1990 : Service commenced, leaving Bromyard at 1400, returning from Burghill, St Marys Hospital at 1645, running via County Hospital, General Hospital and Eye Hospital in Hereford. Bus used has a wheelchair lift.

955 (Bromyard - Leominster - Marden - Hereford, TTh) and 956 (Bromyard - Ledbury - Here- ford, MWF) were revised from 18 June 1990 to operate in the mornings. 955 also replaced the off-peak service on 482 (Bromyard - Leominster, NSu) which is reduced to operate MWFS only.

400 (Bromyard Town Service, NSu) was gained from Bromyard Omnibus Company from 6 January 1992.  422 (Bromyard -Suckley - Knightwick - Alfrick - Worcester, S) was lost to Mid- land Red West from 25 April 1992.  Its place is taken by a new 418 (Bromyard Tenbury Road - Hatton Park - Bromyard - Suckley - Knightwick - Broadwas - Upper Broadheath -Worcester, S) from the same date.  482 (Bromyard - Leominster via Bredenbury and Stoke Prior, MWFS) was reduced to Fridays only from 22 April 1992.  The Friday journeys now serve Stoke Prior and also deviate via Risbury, partially replacing Lugg Valley 483.  An extra Friday round-trip between Stoke Prior and Leominster is inserted during layover. 400 (Bromyard Town Service) is regained by Bromyard Omnibus Company from 21 April 1992.  The timeta- ble of 482 (Bromyard - Leominster, F) was revised from 4 September 1992, with the 1215 short-working being extended to Risbury in lieu of the later through working.  418 (Bromyard - Suckley -Broadheath - Worcester, S) ceased after operation on 29 August 1992, being re- placed by alterations to Midland Red West services in the area.  955 (Bromyard - Leominster - Hereford, TTh) and 956 (Bromyard - Ledbury - Hereford, MWF) ceased after operation on 26 March 1993.  Changes were made to services 470, 482 and 672 in partial replacement. Schools service 427 was acquired from Rogers Coaches from 25 January 1994 and curtailed to be Clifton-upon-Teme - Bromyard via Upper Sapey and Tedstone Wafre.  482 (Bromyard - Leominster, F) was lost to Primrose Motors with effect from 28 April 1995.  School service 812 (Dunley - Martley) was cancelled after 31 July 1996.  This was one of the first school contract services in Hereford and Worcester to be made available to the public, initially oper- ating under a "permit".

M & J Taxis (Bate) of Worcester :

This firm restored the former Rural Ways services 364 (Gt Malvern - Madresfield - Worcester, W) and 386 (Gt Malvern - Welland - Upton-upon-Severn) from 21 March 1990, although to modified timetables. The recently restored services 364 (Gt Malvern - Madresfield - Worcester, W) and 386 (Gt Malvern - Welland - Upton-upon-Severn) were withdrawn after operation on 31 May 1990. Neither service was replaced.