First Northampton
{{Short description|Bus operator in Northampton, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name = First Northampton
|logo = FirstGroup.svg
|logo_size = 150
|image = First Northampton Citybus.JPG
|image_size =
|image_caption = Alexander RH bodied Volvo Citybus
in Northampton during April 2013
|company_slogan =
|parent = FirstGroup
|headquarters = Northampton
|locale =
|service_area = Northampton
Kingsthorpe
Rectory Farm
Thorplands
|service_type = Bus services
|founded = {{Start date and age|1993}}
|defunct = {{End date and age|df=yes|2013|9|14}}
|alliance =
|destinations =
|depots = 1
|stops =
|hubs = Greyfriars Bus Station
|stations =
|lounge =
|fleet = 38 (March 2013)
|ridership =
|fuel_type =
|operator = First Midlands
|ceo =
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20130823145643/http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton/ www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton]}}
First Northampton[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/01990372 Companies House extract company no 1990372] Northampton Transport Limited was a bus company in Northampton. It was a subsidiary of FirstGroup and part of the First Midlands division. It ceased operating on 14 September 2013.[http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/transport/pubtrans/pages/bus-service-changes.aspx News of bus services changes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603235855/http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/transport/pubtrans/pages/bus-service-changes.aspx |date=3 June 2013 }} Northampton County Council[https://web.archive.org/web/20130823145643/http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton/ Last day of Operation for First Services in Northampton] FirstGroup
History
File:First bus 11034 (KR52 ZTN) 2002 Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro G, First Capital Connect train2plane, Luton Airport, 25 August 2009.jpg on the Luton Airport shuttle in August 2009]]
First Northampton was originally a municipal bus company, Northampton Transport Ltd, owned and operated by Northampton Borough Council.[http://www.lgcplus.com/news/northampton-bc-moves-to-privatise-bus-service/1658491.article Northampton Borough council moves to privatise bus operations] Local Government Chronicle 27 August 1993 In 1993 the council sold the company to the GRT Group, who in April 1995 became part of FirstGroup.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/badgerline-links-with-grt-1614291.html Badgerline links with GRT] The Independent 5 April 1995
During July 2013 it was announced via Northamptonshire County Council's website that route 4 would be withdrawn on 11 August. It was also later announced that the remaining services would be withdrawn on 14 September 2013.[http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/bus-firm-pulls-services-out-of-northampton-1-5318322 Bus firm pulls services out of Northampton] Northampton Chronicle 25 July 2013
Fleet
Following the withdrawal of a number of services during June 2013, some vehicles were transferred to other FirstGroup operations. Following further reductions in services during August 2013 a number of older vehicles including the three remaining Volvo Citybuses followed. At the time of the final services being withdrawn the fleet consisted of nine Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L113CRLs.
As at March 2013 the fleet consisted of 38 buses.[http://www.swhite.org.uk/ FirstGroup Fleetlist] Steve White
Services
First Northampton operated all of their services from Greyfriars Bus Station.
First Northampton confirmed via their Twitter account on 29 May 2013 that they would be withdrawing services 12, 23, 28, 29 and 30,{{cite tweet|user=FirstNthampton|number=339708625092227072|title=Tweet}} {{dead link|date=February 2023}}[https://archive.today/20130616052658/http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton/travel_news/service_updates/?item=8351&conf=0 Service updates] most of the services were taken over by Stagecoach, Uno and Country Lion.
First Northampton's school contracts concluded in July 2013 and were not renewed.
Service 4 to Obelisk Rise was withdrawn along with the Sunday operations of services 2 & 4A on 11 August. Services 2 was withdrawn on 13 September 2013.
Depot
First Northampton operated out of the former Northampton Transport depot on St James's Road. Following the withdrawal of the final services, the depot remained in operation until 22 October 2013 to service the First Northampton operated Luton Airport Parkway railway station - Luton Airport service, when it was transferred to First Essex's Chelmsford depot.[https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/236824/np-2161-04-sept-2013.pdf Office of the Traffic Commissioner Notices and Proceedings September 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112150055/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/236824/np-2161-04-sept-2013.pdf |date=12 November 2013 }} Office of the Traffic Commissioner 4 September 2013
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{FirstGroup}}
{{Defunct British Bus Companies}}
{{Northampton}}
Category:FirstGroup bus operators in England
Category:1993 establishments in England