Centrebus#Centrebus Harlow

File:Longcross Centrebus Plaxton Centro.jpg bodied VDL SB120 in April 2007]]

File:Northern Counties Volvo B10M.JPG bodied Volvo B10M-50 in September 2008]]

Centrebus was founded in 2001, it was previously known as Anstey Buslines. In 2002, the businesses of inMotion, Dunstable,[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04490145 Companies House extract company no 4490145] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725191056/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04490145 |date=25 July 2014 }} LQT Limited{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050303004848/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/completed/2005/arriva/prov_find_report.pdf The proposed acquisition by Arriva plc of the business of Sovereign Bus & Coach Company Ltd]}} Competition Commission December 2004 Lutonian, Luton and Centrebus, Leicester merged to form the basis of the business today.

In January 2004, Centrebus acquired the St Albans operation of Blazefield although in March 2008 it was sold to Uno.[http://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/070308.htm Expansion for Uno] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021214140/http://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/070308.htm |date=21 October 2013 }} Oxford & Chiltern Bus Page issue 258 7 March 2008

During February 2005 operations commenced around Grantham, following the closure of MASS Transit.[http://www.countrybus.co.uk/reliance.htm Reliance of Great Gonerby] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726091536/http://www.countrybus.co.uk/reliance.htm |date=26 July 2014 }} Country Bus

In June 2007, Centrebus purchased Bowers Coaches,which through a joint venture with Wellglade Group became High Peak Buses in 2012. [http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/00548351 Companies House extract company no 548351] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021215630/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/00548351 |date=21 October 2013 }} Eric W Bowers Coaches Limited based in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. Bowers operated services around Cheshire, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester. In April 2012 Centrebus transferred the business into a joint venture with the Wellglade Group to form High Peak Buses with Bowers operations relocated to Trent Barton's Dove Holes depot.[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=5433&categoryid=0 Wellglade/Centrebus join up in Buxton] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022222230/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=5433&categoryid=0 |date=22 October 2013 }} Bus & Coach Professional 24 May 2011[https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/news-and-media/our-news/article/highpeak New bus operator hits the road] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021223908/https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/news-and-media/our-news/article/highpeak |date=21 October 2013 }} trentbarton

Centrebus shareholders formed Centrebus Holdings in May 2008 with Arriva taking a 40% shareholding. Centrebus Holdings was an independent company from the main business, but was managed by Centrebus on a day-to-day basis. In September 2013, Arriva bought out its partners with the West Yorkshire operations rebranded as Yorkshire Tiger and the Hinckley operations as Hinckley Bus.[http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2013/september/130909-centrebus.aspx?sc_lang=en Centrebus (Holdings) Limited] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022193636/http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2013/september/130909-centrebus.aspx?sc_lang=en |date=22 October 2013 }} 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[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8060&categoryid=0 Arriva unleases its Yorkshire Tiger] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018015813/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8060&categoryid=0 |date=18 October 2013 }} Bus & Coach Professional 9 October 2013[http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/hinckleybus/ Hinckley Bus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115125353/http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/hinckleybus/ |date=15 November 2013 }} Arriva Despite the name, Centrebus Holdings has never had any shareholding in Centrebus, and was formed to take over K-Line and Stagecoach Huddersfield, and subsequently the Hinckley operations of Arriva Midlands.

In September 2008, Centrebus purchased the local bus operations of the Woods Coaches, Leicestershire business. In August 2009, the business of Trustybus,[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04717739 Companies House extract company no 4717739] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021220409/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04717739 |date=21 October 2013 }} Galleon Travel Limited with operations in Essex and Hertfordshire, was acquired by Centrebus.[http://www.harlowride.co.uk/centrebus.html Centrebus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061658/http://www.harlowride.co.uk/centrebus.html |date=23 October 2013 }} Harlow Bus Travel Information In August 2010 Centrebus took over the operations of Judges Mini Coaches, Corby with routes serving Kettering, Milton Keynes, Welford, Wellingborough, Wicken and Yardley Gobion.

In May 2011, Centrebus took over West End Travel of Melton Mowbray[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03741213 Companies House extract company no 3741213] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021215717/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03741213 |date=21 October 2013 }} Romdrive Limited and its fleet of buses and services in Melton Mowbray and Rural Rider services. In October 2011 Centrebus purchased Paul James Coaches,[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04314235 Companies House extract company no 4314235] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021215940/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04314235 |date=21 October 2013 }} Garrison Street Limited formerly Paul James Coaches Limited Saxby from Veolia Transport with 21 buses.

In July 2011 Centrebus took over the business of Kimes Buses, Folkingham. Kimes was founded in 1945 and sold in January 1997 to its employees.[http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/owner-to-close-kimes-buses-in-folkingham-1-5280920 Kimes of Folkingham] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021214108/http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/owner-to-close-kimes-buses-in-folkingham-1-5280920 |date=21 October 2013 }} Country Bus It operated a fleet of 23 vehicles at the time of the takeover. Its green and cream livery and the Kimes name were retained by Centrebus.{{cite journal|last=Millar|first=Alan|title=Centrebus and Go-Ahead grow with latest takeovers|journal=Buses|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|issue=678|date=September 2011|page=6}} In August 2013 the depot was closed with operations transferred to Centrebus' Grantham depot.[http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/owner-to-close-kimes-buses-in-folkingham-1-5280920 Owner to close Kimes buses in Folkingham] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021214108/http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/local/owner-to-close-kimes-buses-in-folkingham-1-5280920 |date=21 October 2013 }} Grantham Journal 12 July 2013{{Cite web |date=2013-07-11 |title=Kimes closing |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/kimes-closing/ |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Bus & Coach Buyer |language=en-GB}}

In November 2012, Centrebus closed its Harlow depot with most routes passing to Roadrunner Buses.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130724161526/http://www.intalink.org.uk/downloads/PDFS/SERVICE%20CHANGES%20NOVEMBER.pdf Registrations Received and Service Changes Advised] Intalink November 2012 The remaining routes moved to the Stevenage depot, allowing the business to consolidate its East Hertfordshire operations on a single site.

In June 2017, Centrebus closed its Saxby depot, citing rising costs and declining patronage with all services passing to either Leicester or Grantham depots.{{Cite web|title=Bus firm to shut depot as it faces fall in customers|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/business/bus-firm-shut-depot-it-faces-fall-customers-1108692|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk|date=22 June 2017 |language=en|archive-date=10 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210204610/https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/business/bus-firm-shut-depot-it-faces-fall-customers-1108692|url-status=live}}

In October 2019, Centrebus closed its Corby depot, citing rising costs and declining patronage with services passing to other depots or operators.{{Cite web|title=New operator sought for Northampton bus route after Corby depot closure|url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/new-operator-sought-northampton-bus-route-after-corby-depot-closure-942925|access-date=2020-12-08|website=www.northamptonchron.co.uk|date=9 September 2019 |language=en|archive-date=10 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210204611/https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/new-operator-sought-northampton-bus-route-after-corby-depot-closure-942925|url-status=live}}

In May 2021, Stevenage Depot was closed by Centrebus with most services moved to Luton depot.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=routeone |date=2021-02-25 |title=Centrebus cites uncertainty for planned Stevenage closure |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/centrebus-cites-uncertainty-for-planned-stevenage-closure/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=routeone |language=en-US}} some routes were transferred to Luton while others were transferred to other operators, with Trustybus, Richmonds, A2B Travel and Chiltern Automotive all taking on former Centrebus routes.

Centrebus currently operate from four depots across England:

• Wenlock Way for the Leicester operations,
• Tollemache Road for Grantham operations,
• Hallsteads, Dove Holes for HighPeak operations,
• Bilton Way for Luton operations/Hertfordshire routes.

Wenlock Way, Leicester is also the headquarters of Centrebus Group.

As of August 2024 the fleet consists of 360, mostly single-deck, vehicles.{{Cite web|url=https://lutonbuspage.wordpress.com/fleet-lists/%7D|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210204611/https://lutonbuspage.wordpress.com/fleet-lists/%7D|url-status=dead|title=Private Site|archivedate=10 February 2022|website=lutonbuspage.wordpress.com}} Centrebus are currently rolling out a revised livery across their fleet with orange to the front of the vehicle and blue to the rear, separated by a broad white diagonal stripe.https://www.centrebus.info/news/new-livery/

During 2021 Leicester City Council successfully applied for £19 million of funding from the Government's ZEBRA scheme with Centrebus operating five Yutong E12 electric buses on the University Hospitals of Leicester Hospital Hopper service, Centrebus gained a further six Yutong E10 buses during late 2022 for the 40 Orbital.{{cite web | url=https://www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/coming-soon-projects | title=Coming soon projects }}{{cite web|url=https://www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/planned-projects | title=Planned projects }}{{cite web|url=https://www.route-one.net/features/learning-from-the-ev-experience|title=Route One - EVs|date=18 July 2022 }}

A further three Yutong E9 mini-buses were added to the Leicester fleet in April 2023 for the Hop! Leicester City Centre free bus service.

Routes operated by Centrebus include the Rutland Flyer, Leicester Orbital, Hop!, and the LC7 Uppingham–Leicester.

The LC7 is a bus service which operates between Uppingham and Leicester,{{Cite web |date=2021-08-29 |title=747 timetable |url=https://www.centrebus.info/media/3215/route-747-01092021.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011123537/https://www.centrebus.info/media/3215/route-747-01092021.pdf |archive-date=2021-10-11 |access-date=2022-02-11}} largely following the A47 road.

The service previously extended beyond Uppingham to Peterborough,{{cite web |last1=Calder |first1=Jonathan |title=Liberal England |date=22 November 2016 |url=https://liberalengland.blogspot.com/2016/11/save-747-leicester-to-uppingham-bus.html |access-date=22 September 2022}} operated by Midland Fox. The Uppingham-Peterborough section was withdrawn and replaced by the less frequent R47 service.

In January 2017, Centrebus announced that the route was no longer commercially viable.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Dan |date=2019-12-20 |title=Bus service will continue for another year after cash injection |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/key-bus-service-keep-going-3662125 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420084938/https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/key-bus-service-keep-going-3662125 |archive-date=2021-04-20 |access-date=2022-02-11 |website=LeicestershireLive |language=en}} However, the route continued operating after a £60,000 subsidy from two local councils that covered the cost of the route until January 2018.{{Cite web |title=Bus firm to shut depot as it faces fall in customers |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/business/bus-firm-shut-depot-it-faces-fall-customers-1108692 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210204610/https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/business/bus-firm-shut-depot-it-faces-fall-customers-1108692 |archive-date=2022-02-10 |access-date=2022-02-11 |website=www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk |date=22 June 2017 |language=en}} The route has continued to be subsidised by Rutland County Council and Leicestershire County Council.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Matthew |date=2019-12-17 |title=747 bus to continue for another year |url=https://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/747-bus-to-continue-for-another-year-9093855/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124092131/https://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/747-bus-to-continue-for-another-year-9093855/ |archive-date=2021-01-24 |access-date=2022-02-11 |website=Stamford Mercury |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-12-18 |title=Funding agreement to support Uppingham to Leicester 747 bus service |url=https://oakham.nub.news/n/funding-agreement-to-support-uppingham-to-leicester-747-bus-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211002755/https://oakham.nub.news/n/funding-agreement-to-support-uppingham-to-leicester-747-bus-service |archive-date=2022-02-11 |access-date=2022-02-11 |website=Oakham Nub News |language=en}}

During April 2025 as part of a network review by Leicestershire County Council the 747 service was renumbered to LC7.

The fab 80's was a service operated by Centrebus’ Stevenage depot, which started in 2015 and consisted of 3 routes (80,81,81A). The routes ran from Westmill Estate in Hitchin, through Hitchin town to either Purwell or Ninesrpings Way and Stevenage. The buses used were Optare Solo SR (which replaced the older Optare Solos). This was all part of an upgrade plan to have wifi, more frequent services and newer buses. Unfortunately, due to the closure of Stevenage depot in 2021, a contract was lost on route 81a and route 81 was cut down massively and no longer serves Purwell. This resulted in the end of the Fab 80s brand. Replacing the Optare Solo SR were Enviro 200s from Luton Depot.

This route runs between Hitchin and Welwyn Garden city taking 2 different branches. Route 314 goes via Codicote and Langley (with the twice a day extension to The Priory School) whilst the 315 goes via Whitewell and Kimpton. In 2023, route 315 was extended to Hitchin instead of terminating at Kimpton. The buses used in the past are mainly Plaxton Centro. However, due to the closure of Stevenage depot, buses now used are now Enviro200s and Optare Solo SRs from Luton depot.

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{commons category-inline|Centrebus (bus company)|Centrebus}}
• [http://www.centrebus.info/ Centrebus website]

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{{Leicestershire buses|state=expanded}}

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