Arriva Midlands

File:Arriva Midlands North 2348 S348 YOG 2.JPG bodied Dennis Dart in Whitchurch in August 2009]]

File:Wardle Transport 4652 S652 KJU.jpg Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympian in October 2012]]

File:Arriva Midlands VDL DB250 (Wright Gemini) 4753 FJ06 ZSY on route 104 to Fosse Park (40031947734).jpg bodied VDL DB250 pictured on route 104 to Fosse Park.]]

In September 1981 Midland Red North[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/01556305 Companies House extract company no 1556305] Arriva Midlands North Limited formerly Midland Rd (North) Limited was formed with 230 buses operating from six depots in Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands as part of the breakup of the Midland Red bus company.[http://www.midlandred.net/depots/sa.shtml Midland Red Depots] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103190940/http://www.midlandred.net/depots/sa.shtml |date=3 November 2013 }} MidlandRed.net In May 1983 the Ludlow depot was closed. In January 1988 Midland Red North was sold to the Drawlane Transport Group.[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/02756786 Companies House extract company no 2756785] Burroughs Hill Limited formerly Drawlane Transport Group plc In November 1992 it was sold to British Bus which in August 1996 was sold to the Cowie Group.[http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=799 Arriva Midlands History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528102630/http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=799 |date=28 May 2012 }} Arriva{{usurped|1=[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119162530/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1997/396cowie.htm Cowie Group plc and British Bus Group Limited: A report on the merger situation]}} Competition Commission 31 October 1996{{usurped|1=[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119203901/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1997/fulltext/396a3.4.pdf Principal operating subsidiaries of British Bus]}} Competition Commission 1997

In 2003 the Arriva Midlands North garages in Crewe, Macclesfield and Winsford were transferred to Arriva North West. These had previously been operated by Crosville and had adopted the "Midland Redline" fleetname after transfer to Midland Red North. The remaining parts of Arriva Midlands North were combined with Arriva Derby and Arriva Fox County to form Arriva Midlands. Buses still operate with Arriva Midlands North legal name (except Burton upon Trent which used Stevensons of Uttoxeter).

In February 2007 the business of Chase Coaches was purchased with 27 buses with operations integrated into Arriva's Cannock depot.[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1244&categoryid=0 Arriva acquires Chase Coaches] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308222948/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1244&categoryid=0 |date=8 March 2012 }} Bus & Coach Professional 27 February 2007

In late 2007 a new ChaseLinx brand (similar to the Leicester Linx brand) was introduced, reflecting the purchase of Chase Coaches.

In December 2007 Swadlincote depot closed with operations transferred to Burton upon Trent. In August 2008 the Hinckley depot and services were sold to Centebus Holdings.[http://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/310808-Company%20and%20Fleet%20News.htm Centrebus Herts & Beds] Oxford & Chilterns Bus Page 31 August 2008 In January 2009 Shifnal depot closed while in the same month Bridgnorth reopened.

In December 2010 the business of Wardle Transport, Stoke-on-Trent was purchased with 64 buses,[http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2010/december/2010-12-08.aspx?sc_lang=en Arriva Midlands announces acquisition of Wardle Transport] Arriva 8 December 2010[http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/new_transit/news/?ID=25092 Arriva boosts Midlands bus operation with Wardle Transport purchase] Transport Xtra 9 December 2010 followed in June 2011 by the Staffordshire operations of D&G Bus with 30 buses that was integrated with Wardle Transport[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=5485&categoryid=0 Arriva Midlands acquires D&G] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101202507/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=5485&categoryid=0 |date=1 November 2013 }} Bus & Coach Professional 10 June 2011[http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/D-G-Buses-bought-Arriva-owners-blame-subsidy-cuts/story-12754174-detail/story.html#axzz2iIqqLC5D D&G Buses bought by Arriva - owners blame subsidy cuts for sale] The Sentinel 11 June 2011 and in August 2012 Midland of Wednesfield from D&G Bus with 61 buses.[http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2012/august/2012-08-10.aspx?sc_lang=en Arriva Midlands to expand operations in the West Midlands] Arriva 10 August 2012

In May 2015, D&G Bus purchased Wardle transport back from Arriva Midlands with 19 buses.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dgbus.co.uk/news.html |title=D&G Bus to takeover Wardle Transport routes |access-date=3 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172139/http://www.dgbus.co.uk/news.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/dg-buys-wardle-transport/ D&G buys Wardle Transport] Bus & Coach Buyer 18 March 2015"D&G Bus" Buses issue 723 June 2015 page 84

On 23 April 2017 the Wednesfield depot closed with some services passing to Diamond Buses with nine vehicles and the remainder of vehicles reallocated to other depots.[http://www.rotalaplc.com/news/rotala-signs-deal-with-arriva-to-take-on-wednesdfield-operation.html Rotala signs deal with Arriva to take on Wednesfield operation] Rotala 24 March 2017[http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/diamond-takes-arriva-wednesfield/ Diamond takes on Arriva Wednesfield] Bus & Coach Buyer 24 March 2017 The depot had only reopened in March 2013 after a refurbishment.[https://cbwmagazine.com/arriva-wednesfield-depot-reopens/ Arriva Wednesfield depot reopens] Coach & Bus Week 3 April 2013

In 2017, four Arriva Shires & Essex depots (Milton Keynes, Luton, Aylesbury and High Wycombe), and their routes, were transferred into the management of Arriva Midlands. The vehicles were renumbered in late 2018 and early 2019 to avoid multiple vehicles having the same fleet numbers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wmbusphotos.com/Fleetchanges/ArrivaMidlands.html|title=Arriva Midlands Fleet changes|website=www.wmbusphotos.com|access-date=2019-07-13}}

Arriva announced that from 1 April 2018 that no buses from their Cannock depot would run during the evenings and Sundays as a result of Staffordshire County Council funding cuts.{{cite web |url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands/Latest/cannock--stafford-routes-to-be-withdrawn-on-evenings--sundays-from-1-april-2018/ |title = Arriva Bus}} Hundreds signed an online petition within the first week, which quickly lead to thousands including backing from two local MPs.{{cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/staffordshire/cannock/2018/02/28/staffordshire-mps-join-fight-to-save-sunday-bus-services/ |title = Staffordshire MPs join fight to save Sunday bus services {{!}} Express & Star}}

In November 2020 it was announced that the Cannock Depot would be sold to D&G bus, with services being operated under the Chaserider brand from the end of service on 9 January 2021.{{Cite web|title=Arriva Bus|url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/arriva-to-sell-cannock-depot-to-d&g-bus|access-date=2020-12-04|website=www.arrivabus.co.uk}}{{Cite web|title=Chaserider|url=http://www.dgbus.co.uk/chaserider.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=www.dgbus.co.uk}}

File:East Lancs Lowlander 1.jpg East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander bodied VDL DB250 in Derby in September 2007]]

{{main article|Arriva Derby}}

In 1994 Derby City Transport was privatised and sold to British Bus.[http://www.derbybusdepot.co.uk/arriva.html Arriva Midlands - In Derby] The Derby Bus Depot In August 1996 British Bus was purchased by the Cowie Group and the operation rebranded as Arriva Derby.[http://www.petergould.co.uk/local_transport_history/fleetlists/derby1.htm Derby Corporation Transport 1899 - 1986] Peter Gould

Arriva previously had a depot in Burton Upon Trent until August 2016 when the operations passed to Midland Classic.

File:Arriva Midlands 8024 (BG74DLK) on route 5.jpg Wright StreetDeck Electroliner in Leicester in February 2025]]

{{main article|Arriva Midlands East}}

In September 1981 Midland Red East[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/01556557 Companies House extract company no 1556557] Foxhound Limited formerly Midland Fox Limited formerly Midland Red (East) Limited was formed with 181 buses operating from five depots in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire as part of the breakup of the Midland Red bus company, and in January 1984 was renamed Midland Fox. In 1987 it was privatised in a management buyout. Several smaller operators including Loughborough Bus & Coach Company were purchased and in 1989 it was sold to the Drawlane Group. In November 1992 it was sold to British Bus which in August 1996 was sold to the Cowie Group and later renamed Arriva Fox County.

Arriva Midlands East currently operate from three depots within the Leicestershire area these are Thurmaston, Coalville and Barwell.

In September 2013, Arriva purchased Centrebus Groups shares in Centrebus Holdings with their Hinckley operations becoming Hinckley Bus which operated as a part of Arriva Midlands [http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2013/september/130909-centrebus.aspx?sc_lang=en Centrebus (Holdings) Limited] Arriva 9 September 2013[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=7964&categoryid=0 Arriva takes joint venture control] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022222314/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=7964&categoryid=0 |date=22 October 2013 }} Bus & Coach Professional 12 September 2013 During late 2018 the Hinckley Bus operations were merged into the main Arriva Midlands business.

Arriva announced in August 2021 after 64 years they will be closing their South Wigston depot during October 2021 with most services moved to Thurmaston depot.{{cite web| url = http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/fond-memories-one-leicesters-oldest-5813470.amp| title = Fond memories one of Leicester's oldest bus depots that's about to close - Leicestershire Live}}

Arriva Midlands operate eleven depots as of January 2022 in:{{Cite web|url=http://ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/amn.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713172255/http://ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/amn.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-07-13|title=UK Buses Arriva Midlands Fleet June 2019|date=2019-07-13|access-date=2019-07-13}}

• Derby
• Shrewsbury
• Tamworth
• Telford
• Thurmaston also the HQ for Arriva Midlands
• Barwell
• Milton Keynes
• Luton
• Aylesbury
• High Wycombe

In 2017, four Arriva Shires & Essex depots (Milton Keynes, Luton, Aylesbury and High Wycombe), and their routes, were transferred into the management of Arriva Midlands. The vehicles were renumbered in late 2018 and early 2019 to avoid multiple Arriva Midlands vehicles sharing the same fleet numbers.

In 2018 the Cannock depot began closing entirely on Sundays due to county council subsidy cuts, leaving Cannock without buses, with the Cannock depot being sold to D&G bus in January 2021.

In 2023, Arriva announced that it planned to close the Oswestry depot as a result of low patronage and financial difficulties following the Covid-19 pandemic. Most services operated from Oswestry would be moved to Shrewsbury and Arriva Buses Wales' Wrexham depot if the planned closure is approved.{{Cite web|author= |date=27 February 2023|title=Arriva set to close Oswestry, Macclesfield and Winsford |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/arriva-set-to-close-oswestry-macclesfield-and-winsford/ |access-date=28 February 2023|website=routeone}} The closure went ahead in early summer 2023.

• Cannock - purchased by D&G Bus in November 2020, and was transferred on 9 January 2021.{{Cite web|title=Arriva Bus|url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/arriva-to-sell-cannock-depot-to-d&g-bus|access-date=2021-01-13|website=www.arrivabus.co.uk}}
• Burton-upon-Trent - purchased by Midland Classic in 2016{{Cite web|url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands/Latest/arriva-bids-farewell-to-burton-depot/|title=Arriva bids farewell to Burton depot|date=25 August 2016|website=www.arrivabus.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-07-13}}
• Wednesfield - closed in 2017 due to loss of most Transport for West Midlands contracted services. Nine vehicles and remaining tendered routes sold to Diamond Bus. Commercially run routes 35, and 35A were moved to Cannock Depot, while routes 10, 10A, and 10B were transferred to Telford Depot. Service 10 has since been withdrawn by Arriva (after a spell being operated by Cannock depot) with the 10A & 10B now operated by National Express.
• Bridgnorth depot, an outstation of Telford, operated services 585-588 in South Staffordshire along with service 9, 297, 101 and 436. The depot closed with the ending of the 585-588 routes in 2012 with services being operated by Shrewsbury (436) and Telford (other routes). It was located on the Stanmore Industrial Estate.
• Wellington - replaced by new depot in Telford.
• Southgates - Former Midland Fox garage closed in 2009 and operations were merged with the Thurmaston Depot
• Wigston - Closed 31 October 2021
• Oswestry - Operated by Arriva since early 2000s after moving from previous Midland Red depot. Operated services 2/2A/2C, 53, 54, 405, 449, 79A, 71, X5 prior to decision to close depot in early 2023. Services 53 and X5 transferred to Shrewsbury whereas services 2/2A/2C transferred to Arriva Wales Wrexham; all remaining routes were reallocated to other operators.

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/Midlands/ Company website]
• {{commons category-inline}}

{{Arriva Group UK}}

{{Bus companies in the East Midlands}}

{{Bus companies in West Midlands|state=collapsed}}

Midlands

Category:Transport companies established in 1981

Category:Transport in Leicestershire

Category:1981 establishments in England

Category:Bus operators in Leicestershire