CityFleet Networks
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name = CityFleet Networks
|logo =
|logo_size =
|image =
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|parent = ComfortDelGro (100%)
|founded = July 2001
|headquarters =
|service_area = London
Edinburgh
Aberdeen
Liverpool
|service_type = Coach services
Taxi services
|alliance =
|routes =
|depot =
|hubs =
|operator = Westbus UK
ComCab
Comfort Executive
CityFleet Business
|ceo =
|website = [https://cityfleet.co.uk/ cityfleet.co.uk/]}}
CityFleet Networks, also known as CityFleet, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based ComfortDelGro that operates coach services under the brand Westbus UK, as well as taxi services in a number of UK cities under the brands ComCab, CityFleet Business and Comfort Executive.{{cite web|url=http://cityfleetnetworks.com/about-us|title=About Us|website=CityFleet Networks|accessdate=10 August 2018}}
It was initially set up in July 2001 as a joint venture between Singapore's Delgro Corporation (later ComfortDelGro) (51%) and Australia-based Cabcharge Australia (49%).{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=32994144|title=Company Overview of CityFleet Networks Limited|publisher=Bloomberg|accessdate=10 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cabcharge.com.au/getattachment/76d099ed-f9f8-4bcb-a26f-c14265588b29/2001-Annual-Report|title=Annual Report 2001|publisher=Cabcharge|accessdate=10 August 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313021153/https://www.cabcharge.com.au/getattachment/76d099ed-f9f8-4bcb-a26f-c14265588b29/2001-Annual-Report|archivedate=13 March 2018|url-status=live}} In Australia, a similar joint venture between the two companies, known as ComfortDelGro Cabcharge (CDC), would later be set up in 2005 to purchase the Westbus Group from National Express, which included Westbus Australia and Westbus UK. Westbus UK was reorganised to be under CityFleet, and continued to operate independently from the Westbus in Australia.
In June 2017, Cabcharge sold its 49% stake to ComfortDelGro.{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/comfortdelgro-to-buy-remaining-stake-in-cityfleet-networks-for-s14-million|title=ComfortDelGro to buy remaining stake in CityFleet Networks for S$14 million|work=Business Times|date=28 June 2017|accessdate=10 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.finnewsnetwork.com.au/archives/finance_news_network166731.html|title=Cabcharge sells stake in CityFleet for $13.3m|date=29 June 2017|accessdate=10 August 2018}} Earlier that year, ComfortDelGro Cabcharge also became wholly owned by ComfortDelGro and renamed ComfortDelGro Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/comfortdelgro-buys-out-aussie-subsidiary-cabcharge-for-196m|title=ComfortDelGro buys out Aussie subsidiary Cabcharge for $196m|work=The Straits Times|date=21 December 2016|accessdate=10 August 2018}}
Operations
CityFleet Networks operates:
- Westbus UK
- ComCab (Computer Cab)
- Comfort Executive
- CityFleet Business
=Westbus UK=
In 1986, Westbus Australia purchased ADP Travel Services, Hounslow and Swinards Coaches, Ashford and operated them as Westbus UK.[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/2nd-may-1987/19/brightons-buses-shine-on Brighton's buses shine on] Commercial Motor 2 May 1987 page 19{{cite web|url=https://www.westbus.co.uk/our-history|title=Our History|website=Westbus UK|accessdate=10 August 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810113718/https://www.westbus.co.uk/our-history|archivedate=10 August 2018|url-status=live}}
The coach business of Armchair Passenger Transport, a bus and coach operation purchased by ComfortDelGro subsidiary Metroline in 2004, was amalgamated into Westbus UK in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.metroline.co.uk/about-us/history.html|title=History|website=Metroline|accessdate=10 August 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810114110/https://www.metroline.co.uk/about/history|archivedate=10 August 2018|url-status=live}}[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=338&categoryid=0 Armchair bough by Metroline] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714194654/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=338&categoryid=0 |date=14 July 2014 }} Bus & Coach Professional 26 November 2004
Westbus UK, along with Westbus Australia, was purchased by ComfortDelGro Cabcharge in 2005. Westbus UK was reorganised under CityFleet Networks, and continues to operate independently from the Westbus in Australia (now defunct) till this day, despite bearing the latter's name, old logo and livery.
=Taxi services=
ComCab, also known as Computer Cab, operates taxi account, booking and dispatch services in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Liverpool, and operates a fleet of 6,300 radio taxis and private hire vehicles providing a service to local business and private customers.[http://www.comfortdelgro.com.sg/investor-relations.aspx?id=177 Annual Report 31 December 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105121450/http://www.comfortdelgro.com.sg/investor-relations.aspx?id=177 |date=5 November 2013 }} ComfortDelGro[http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20140929/pdf/42sjjhj36d3kx5.pdf Annual Report year ended 30 June 2014] Cabcharge[https://www.cityfleet.co.uk/companies CityFleet Website - Companies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222133751/https://www.cityfleet.co.uk/companies |date=22 December 2015 }}, Retrieved 19 December 2015 It was first established in 1974.{{cite web|url=http://www.computercab.co.uk/about-us|title=About Us|website=ComCab|accessdate=10 August 2018}} CityFleet acquired Merseyside Radio Meter Cabs Ltd (better known as Merseycabs) in October 2008 and absorbed it into the Comcab business.{{cite web|url=http://member.afraccess.com/media?id=CMN&filename=20081003/00887203.pdf|title=CABCHARGE EXPANDS INTEREST IN THE UK WITH JOINT VENTURE PARTNER|website=Australian Financial Review|accessdate=11 August 2018}} In April 2018, CityFleet acquired Dial-a-cab, which is based in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/comfortdelgro-buys-london-taxi-circuit-operator-dial-a-cab-for-ps12m-in|title=ComfortDelGro buys London taxi circuit operator Dial-a-Cab for £1.2m in UK expansion|work=The Straits Times|date=19 April 2018|accessdate=10 August 2018}} This would give a total fleet of 3000 taxis in the UK.
Comfort Executive offers executive car chauffeur services, as well as business transport. It was originally formed in 1974 as Flightlink International, and joined ComfortDelGro in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.comfortexecutive.com/about-us|title=About Us|website=Comfort Executive|accessdate=10 August 2018}}
CityFleet also operates CityFleet Business.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://cityfleet.co.uk/ CityFleet Networks]
- [http://www.westbus.co.uk Westbus UK]
{{ComfortDelGro}}