HCT Group

File:Dai Powell.jpg of HCT Group 1993–2020. Formerly a coal miner in Wales, he joined HCT as a bus cleaner in 1990{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144017/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=12 Origins]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 18 October 2009|alt=]]

Hackney Community Transport was established in 1982 when 30 community groups in the London Borough of Hackney formed a pool of six vehicles with a grant from Hackney Borough Council to provide low-cost van and minibus hire for local community groups, and a door-to-door alternative to public transport for people with disabilities. The company's services were staffed by volunteers, but over the next decade a small group of paid staff built up to assist the volunteer workforce.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144136/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=13 1986 – 1996]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 18 October 2009

HCT Group received loans from London Rebuilding Society to finance its entry to the bus industry.[http://www.londonrebuilding.com/information/89713/90262/91013/90539/hct_group/ HCT Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908055447/http://www.londonrebuilding.com/information/89713/90262/91013/90539/hct_group/|date=8 September 2008}} on http://www.londonrebuilding.com website, retrieved 8 October 2009

In 2004, HCT was contracted by EduAction to deliver 500 local special needs children to school and back each day for London Borough of Waltham Forest from a new depot in Leyton.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144234/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=18 2004 – 2005]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 19 October 2009

In March 2006, HCT expanded outside London to run eight yellow My bus school transport routes in and around Wakefield for West Yorkshire Metro. A further seven runs were added in September{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144304/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=82 2006]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 19 October 2009 and three more in September 2007.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144405/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=92 2007]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 19 October 2009

In July 2006, HCT merged with Lambeth & Southwark Community Transport. Later that year on 1 October 2006, HCT began to operate the AccessBus service in Leeds and in 2008, merged with Leeds Alternative Travel.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144505/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=117 2008]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 19 October 2009

In March 2009, HCT Group published its first Impact Report.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726144631/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?type=ARTICLE&articleid=41 HCT Group publishes its first Impact Report]}} on group website, retrieved 4 January 2011 By 2010,{{When|date=October 2022}} HCT had grown by over a hundredfold since 1993 – from a turnover of £202k to a turnover of £23.3 million in 2009/10.'[https://www.theguardian.com/social-enterprise-network/2011/feb/28/lessons-race-scale-htc?INTCMP=SRCH Our lessons from the race for scale]' on The Guardian website, retrieved 7 March 2011

In February 2010, CT Plus Yorkshire took over the Hull 701 Priory Park & Ride route,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221404/http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/33/Commencement%20of%20Hull%20Priory%20Park%20and%20Ride%20service Commencement of Hull Priory Park Park and Ride service]}} on group website, retrieved 4 January 2011 with the aim of investing any surplus from its park-and-ride operation to expand a local community transport service and to set up training for long-term unemployed people in Hull.[https://archive.today/20130505160023/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Park-ride-firm-HCT-focusing-community/article-1879465-detail/article.html Park-and-ride firm HCT is focusing on the community] on Hull Daily Mail website, retrieved 4 January 2011 This was withdrawn in 2014, with Stagecoach taking over the service. In the same month, the company raised £5 million via a social loan.

In 2017 and 2018, the group completed a series of acquisitions, purchasing Social Access, Bristol;{{cite web |title=Social Access joins the HCT Group |url=http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/590/Social%20Access%20joins%20the%20HCT%20Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629014806/http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/590/Social%20Access%20joins%20the%20HCT%20Group |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 June 2017 |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=HCT Group News }} Manchester Community Transport;{{cite web |title=Manchester Community Transport joins HCT Group |url=http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/609/Manchester%20Community%20Transport%20joins%20HCT%20Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211010525/http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/609/Manchester%20Community%20Transport%20joins%20HCT%20Group |archive-date=11 December 2018 |access-date=15 December 2018 |url-status=usurped |website=HCT Group News}} CT4TC,{{cite web |title=CT4TC joins HCT Group |url=http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/628/CT4TC%20joins%20HCT%20Group |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=HCT Group News |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215224305/http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/628/CT4TC%20joins%20HCT%20Group |url-status=usurped }} a Derbyshire community transport operator since renamed Derbyshire Community Transport;{{cite web |title=CT4TC announces its new name – Derbyshire Community Transport |url=http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/633/CT4TC%20announces%20its%20new%20name%20-%20Derbyshire%20Community%20Transport |website=HCT Group News |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222558/http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/633/CT4TC%20announces%20its%20new%20name%20-%20Derbyshire%20Community%20Transport |url-status=usurped }} Powells, South Yorkshire;{{cite web |title=HCT Group acquire Powells Bus |url=http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/639/HCT%20Group%20acquire%20Powells%20Bus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215141751/http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/639/HCT%20Group%20acquire%20Powells%20Bus |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=15 December 2018 |url-status=usurped |website=HCT Group News}} and Impact Group, West London.{{cite web |title=HCT Group acquires west London operator Impact Group |url=http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/643/HCT%20Group%20acquires%20west%20London%20operator%20Impact%20Group |website=HCT Group News |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215224145/http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/643/HCT%20Group%20acquires%20west%20London%20operator%20Impact%20Group |url-status=usurped }}

Dai Powell, who had been chief executive since 1993, announced in April 2020 that he would retire from the post and be replaced by Lynn McClelland.{{Cite web |date=24 April 2020 |title=Dai Powell announces retirement plan, Lynn McClelland unveiled as CEO Designate |url=http://hctgroup.org/1710/Dai%20Powell%20announces%20retirement%20plan,%20Lynn%20McClelland%20unveiled%20as%20CEO%20Designate/about_us/hct_group_news |access-date=2020-04-26 |website=HCT Group |archive-date=3 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503191558/http://hctgroup.org/1710/Dai%20Powell%20announces%20retirement%20plan,%20Lynn%20McClelland%20unveiled%20as%20CEO%20Designate/about_us/hct_group_news |url-status=usurped }}

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a rise in costs for bus operators, HCT Group began to suffer from financial difficulties. On 29 September 2022, after disposing of its commercial bus operations in Yorkshire, Bristol, London and the Channel Islands, HCT Group ceased trading and formally entered administration.

{{Advert|section|date=October 2022}}Image:My bus at Bingley.jpg My bus school bus service operated by CT Plus in Bingley]]

File:CT Plus Guernsey Bus.jpg bus on Guernsey in November 2015]]

The British government has promoted the delivery of public services by not-for-profit organisations (the third sector).[https://www.wypta.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D92FD985-A09D-4FE4-A764-6ABFFC930E2A/0/PTA21NOVEMBER2008ITEM16.pdf AGENDA ITEM NO: 16. SUBJECT: COMMUNITY TRANSPORT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002082239/https://www.wypta.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D92FD985-A09D-4FE4-A764-6ABFFC930E2A/0/PTA21NOVEMBER2008ITEM16.pdf|date=2 October 2011}} on West Yorkshire Metro website, retrieved 9 October 2009 British prime minister David Cameron has stated that he wants more social enterprises running public services as part of his "Big Society".'[http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22694 East London bus drivers picket bosses over pay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103422/http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=22694 |date=24 September 2015 }}' on Socialist Worker website, retrieved 6 January 2011

Charitable legal website Get Legal described HCT's corporate structure as allowing HCT Group to "separate the risks associated with its business in different limited liability vehicles." The social mission of each of those vehicles is protected (either through charitable status or through being CICs), which sends a clear message to the public that the organisation is a social enterprise.[http://www.getlegal.org.uk/resources/case-studies/hackney-community-transport.html HCT Group case study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802222603/http://www.getlegal.org.uk/resources/case-studies/hackney-community-transport.html|date=2 August 2010}} on Get Legal website, retrieved 4 January 2011

HCT Group says it aims to "demonstrate and promote the social enterprise business model as a highly effective and socially responsible mechanism", and that it maintains environmental, health and safety, and social policies, and regularly measures its performance against these.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110308051244/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=7 Corporate responsibility]}} on Group website, retrieved 4 January 2011 Profit was seen by company CEO Dai Powell as enabling its social goals: "You have to be an enterprise first, because if you don't make a profit, you can't fulfil that social mission."{{cite web |date=4 January 2011 |title=Profile of Dai Powell on socialenterpriseambassadors.org website |url=http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/ambassador/dai-powell |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110801000436/http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/ambassador/dai-powell |archive-date=1 August 2011}} HCT's commercial services allowed it to invest 18 per cent of its annual profits into non-commercial community transport in 2007/08. Its mission was to increase this to 30 per cent in the subsequent five years.

HCT Group only competes for contracts that have high levels of accessibility and quality in the specification.[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101213144151/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/third_sector/assets/se_action_plan_2006.pdf Social enterprise action plan: Scaling New Heights], British cabinet paper, retrieved 8 October 2009 "HCT sees the provision of high-quality public services as a goal in itself...and actively seeks user input into the design and delivery of all its services." The CEO claims "we don't provide poor services for poor people – the quality has to be there.” HCT recruits volunteers to train people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities to use public transport independently.{{cite web |author=British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres website |date=4 January 2011 |title=Engaging the unemployed in a volunteer led community service – HCT Group |url=http://www.bassac.org.uk/members/work-of-members/working-with-volunteers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719103731/http://www.bassac.org.uk/members/work-of-members/working-with-volunteers |archive-date=19 July 2011}}

West Yorkshire Metro noted that a community transport provider "...spends its surpluses on transport services in the community which are not commissioned from public bodies" but that "commissioning from the sector can however carry risks...organisations can lack capability and professionalism and be over reliant on individuals leading to instability."

HCT Group was no more immune to labour relations problems than any other bus operator.see for example [http://www.wrp.org.uk/news/3227 40 BUS WORKERS PICKET ASH GROVE] on Workers Revolutionary Party news website, and [http://archive.unitetheunion.org/news__events/archived_news_releases/2008_archived_press_releases/london_bus_workers_at_hackney.aspx London bus workers at Hackney to strike over dismissal of shop steward] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221331/http://archive.unitetheunion.org/news__events/archived_news_releases/2008_archived_press_releases/london_bus_workers_at_hackney.aspx|date=17 December 2013}} on Unite the union news website; both retrieved 10 October 2009 The Socialist Worker described HCT as "no friend of workers" and its workers as "some of the lowest paid drivers in London".

HCT Group prefers social enterprises and co-ops as business partners and suppliers;'[https://www.theguardian.com/social-enterprise-network/2011/oct/17/social-enterprises-co-ops-business-partners?newsfeed=true Why we prefer social enterprises and co-ops as business partners]' on The Guardian website, viewed 19 October 2011 when they raised £500k impact investment from The Phone Co-Op in 2014, their CEO explained with investors as well as suppliers they want to "buy social".{{cite web |last1=Anca |first1=Voinea |title=The Phone Co-op invests in public transport social enterprise |url=http://www.thenews.coop/92351/news/community/the-phone-co-op-invests-in-public-transport-social-enterprise/ |access-date=10 April 2015 |website=The News Co-Op}}

In 2018, HCT Group secured £17.8 million in funding to tackle social isolation, with the help of the investment bank ClearlySo.{{Cite web |title=ClearlySo helps HCT Group secure £17.8 million in funding to tackle social isolation {{!}} UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) |url=https://www.ukbaa.org.uk/news/clearlyso-helps-hct-group-secure-17-8-million-in-funding-to-tackle-social-isolation/ |access-date=2020-02-17 |website=UK Business Angels Association |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217141920/https://www.ukbaa.org.uk/news/clearlyso-helps-hct-group-secure-17-8-million-in-funding-to-tackle-social-isolation/ |url-status=dead }}

File:CT Plus HTL10 PF52 TFX 2.JPG bodied Dennis Trident 2 on route 388 in June 2009]]

File:YJ10EYK Optare OS7 of CT Plus, Coppermill Lane, E17 - Flickr - sludgegulper.jpg on route W12 in March 2010]]

CT Plus was founded as a wholly owned trading arm of HCT in 2001, and became a community interest company in 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://ctplus.org/about_ct_plus|title=About CT Plus|website=CT Plus|access-date=11 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/04137890|title=CT PLUS COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY|website=Companies House|language=en|access-date=11 December 2018}} The company competed for contracts in the marketplace, and its profits were used by HCT to support community transport or other objectives such as training for the long-term unemployed.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/how_we_work|title=How we work|website=HCT Group|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730152607/http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/how_we_work|url-status=usurped}} At first they operated a Transport for London contracted service, route 153.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180628233750/http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/the_hct_group_story The HCT Group story]}} HCT Group Routes 388 and 394 were added in 2003.

In August 2019, the CT Plus brand in London was dropped with operations brought under the HCT Group banner; the brand continued to be used in Yorkshire until August 2022. In the same month, HCT ceased operating Plus Bus route 812 and entered into negotiation with Stagecoach London to sell its 160-vehicle operation, following a period of ongoing financial difficulties for HCT Group.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220824192628/https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/hct-group-in-talks-with-stagecoach-over-london-routes/ HCT Group in talks with Stagecoach over London routes] Route One 24 August 2022File:HCT Group 2532 at Wanstead, Woodbine Place on route W13.jpg on route W13 in June 2022]]

Ash Grove bus garage in Cambridge Heath was HCT Groups' first London garage, and was shared with Arriva London. This garage operated 10 routes, including route 26 and route 394.{{cite web |title=Our routes |url=http://ctplus.org/ct_plus/red_bus_routes_20 |website=CT plus |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704132129/http://ctplus.org/ct_plus/red_bus_routes_20 |archive-date=4 July 2019}}

In November 2016, HCT Group opened a second garage in Walthamstow.[https://cbwmagazine.com/ct-plus-opens-new-walthamstow-garage/ CT Plus opens new Walthamstow garage] Coach & Bus Week 2 December 2016 Before the company administration, Walthamstow Avenue operated routes 20, 385, 397, W11, W12, W16, W19 and 616.

• Special Educational Needs Transport and coach and bus hire, in Waltham Forest
• Social services transport, in Kensington & Chelsea
• Day Centre & Special Educational Needs Transport, in Lambeth
• Special Educational Needs Transport, in Southwark
• Impact Group, purchased from Tower Transit in August 2018"Impact acquired by HCT Group" Coach & Bus Week issue 1355 15 August 2018 page 7[http://www.route-one.net/articles/Business_deals/HCT_Group_purchases_Impact_as_it_grows_again HCT Group purchases Impact as it grows again] Route One 15 August 2018{{Cite web|url=http://www.hctgroup.org/1417/HCT+Group+acquires+west+London+operator+Impact+Group/about_us/hct_group_news?page=2|title=HCT Group – All the latest news from HCT Group|website=www.hctgroup.org|access-date=2019-07-14|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714171349/http://www.hctgroup.org/1417/HCT%2BGroup%2Bacquires%2Bwest%2BLondon%2Boperator%2BImpact%2BGroup/about_us/hct_group_news%3Fpage%3D2|url-status=usurped}}

The Transport for London fleet consisted of 85 buses in 2014,{{cite book|last1=Carr|first1=Ken|title=The London Bus Guide|date=May 2015|publisher=Visions International Entertainment|isbn=978-0-9931735-3-0|edition=5|location=Boreham|page=24}} and had grown to 159 buses before the collapse of the company in September 2022.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

File:Metro AccessBus (CT Plus) YJ09 LAE (cropped).jpg]]

CT Plus (Yorkshire) operated from depots in Brighouse, Wakefield and Leeds,{{cite web |title=CT PLUS (YORKSHIRE) COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY |url=https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/view-details/licence/316558 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101094759/https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/view-details/licence/316558 |archive-date=1 January 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |website=Vehicle Operator Licensing}} with a fleet of around 110 vehicles.{{cite web |title=CT Plus Yorkshire |url=http://nebula.wsimg.com/34b18440c0c950ff708d657bc2804731?AccessKeyId=8B7A174C4DD908996CD8&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101095125/http://nebula.wsimg.com/34b18440c0c950ff708d657bc2804731?AccessKeyId=8B7A174C4DD908996CD8&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 |archive-date=1 January 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |website=Sheffield Omnibus Enthusiasts Society}} The services in West Yorkshire consisted mostly of West Yorkshire Metro tendered services: AccessBus, a demand responsive transport service providing local transport for those unable to use regular transport,{{cite web |title=AccessBus: The flexible alternative to regular bus services |url=https://www.wymetro.com/buses/rural-services/accessbus/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100736/https://www.wymetro.com/buses/rural-services/accessbus/ |archive-date=1 January 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |website=Metro}} and school buses, including some 'My bus' yellow school bus contracts.{{cite web |title=My Bus: School buses in Leeds and Wakefield |url=http://www.ctplusyorks.org/my_bus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215121548/http://www.ctplusyorks.org/my_bus |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=CT plus Yorkshire}} A few public routes were operated, around Wakefield, Huddersfield, Pontefract, and South Elmsall.{{cite web |title=Bus services |url=http://www.ctplusyorks.org/bus_services_7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101095733/http://www.ctplusyorks.org/bus_services_7 |archive-date=1 January 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |website=CT Plus Yorkshire}}{{cite web |title=CT Plus (Yorkshire) |url=https://bustimes.org/operators/ct-plus-yorkshire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215121249/https://bustimes.org/operators/ct-plus-yorkshire |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=Bus Times}} In addition, some private contracts were operated, including two shuttle services for the NHS.{{cite web |title=CT Plus Yorkshire wins Doncaster NHS Shuttle |url=http://www.hctgroup.org/the_hct_group/ct_plus_yorkshire/yorskshire_news/645/CT%20Plus%20Yorkshire%20wins%20Doncaster%20NHS%20Shuttle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100055/http://www.hctgroup.org/the_hct_group/ct_plus_yorkshire/yorskshire_news/645/CT%20Plus%20Yorkshire%20wins%20Doncaster%20NHS%20Shuttle |archive-date=1 January 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |url-status=usurped |website=CT Plus Yorkshire}}

HCT Group acquired Rotherham-based independent operator Powells Bus and Coach in July 2018, integrating the company, which ran services across South Yorkshire, as a separate part of CT Plus (Yorkshire).{{cite web |date=25 June 2018 |title=HCT Group buys South Yorks Powells Bus |url=http://www.route-one.net/articles/Bus_routes/Debut_purchase__HCT_Group_buys_South_Yorks_Powells_Bus |access-date=19 August 2018 |work=routeone}}

On 4 August 2022, the HCT Group announced that CT Plus (Yorkshire) and its Powells Bus operation would cease trading on 5 August,{{cite web |date=5 August 2022 |title=CT Plus Yorkshire to cease trading (Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield) |url=https://www.wymetro.com/plan-a-journey/travel-news/bus-travel-alerts/ctplus/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=Metro}}{{cite web |date=5 August 2022 |title=Powells/CT Plus services to cease |url=https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-gb/news/313ee62f-851c-4fba-8a7b-7f543ff9d148 |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=Travel South Yorkshire}} following a period of sustained losses due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising fuel and labour costs. All bus services in West and South Yorkshire operated by CT Plus would be transferred to the regional traffic commissioner for tendering to other bus operators.{{cite web |date=4 August 2022 |title=HCT Group seeks to terminate operations in Yorkshire |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/hct-group-seeks-to-terminate-operations-in-yorkshire/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |work=routeone}}{{cite news |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=4 August 2022 |title=HCT looks to transfer all Yorkshire services |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |location=Peterborough |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/hct-looks-to-transfer-all-yorkshire-services/ |access-date=5 August 2022}}

HCT Group operated local bus services in the Bristol area under the name of Bristol Community Transport, as well as (from January 2019) the m1 metrobus service under contract to First West of England. BCT ceased operating their dial-a-ride and community transport operations on 26 August 2022 due to rising costs, with their local bus services following a week later on 2 September. When the business closed, operation of the m1 transferred to First, along with the 21 vehicles branded for the route.{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Ellie |date=2022-09-01 |title=Major bus firm stops operating with many services cancelled |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-community-transport-stops-operating-7536345 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}{{cite tweet|number=1565330867756486658|user=metrobusBristol|title=The service will transfer operations from BCT to First Bus with a revised timetable ...|author=Metrobus Bristol|date=1 September 2022}}

HCT Group also operated a number of smaller community and mainstream bus services across the UK.

• Guernsey public bus services, branded as buses.gg{{Cite web |url=http://www.hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/247/CT%20Plus%20begins%20Guernsey%20operations%20 |title=HCT Group ¦ Social Enterprise bus operator ¦ – All the latest news from HCT Group |access-date=30 April 2012 |archive-date=3 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703051226/http://hctgroup.org/about_us/hct_group_news/247/CT%20Plus%20begins%20Guernsey%20operations%20 |url-status=usurped }}
• Jersey public bus services, branded as LibertyBus{{Cite web |title=Who are LibertyBus |url=https://libertybus.je/about/social_enterprise |access-date=11 December 2018 |website=Liberty Bus}}
• Derbyshire Community Transport{{Cite web |title=Derbyshire Community Transport – Derbyshire Community Transport |url=http://www.derbyshirect.org/ |access-date=2019-07-14 |website=www.derbyshirect.org}}

• Manchester Community Transport, 2018 to 2020
• Park and ride bus service in Hull, 2010 to 2014[http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/London-based-group-wins-Hull-park-ride-deal/article-1340517-detail/article.html London group wins Hull park and ride deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120913181616/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/London-based-group-wins-Hull-park-ride-deal/article-1340517-detail/article.html |date=13 September 2012 }} on thisishullandeastriding.co.uk news website, retrieved 1 October 2009{{Cite web|url=https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-improve-hull-park-ride/|title=Stagecoach improve Hull Park & Ride|date=6 October 2014|website=Coach & Bus Week|language=en-GB|access-date=14 December 2018}}

Image:Special needs education transport services in Waltham Forest0.JPG education transport services in Waltham Forest]]

Before the company fell into administration, HCT Group operated:{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090302083000/http://hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=42 Community transport services]}} on HCT Group website, retrieved 1 October 2009

• Accessible minibuses for community and voluntary groups
• 'Capital Call' – a door-to-door service provided by private hire vehicles for users with mobility difficulties
• 'ScootAbility' – a mobility scooter home delivery service
• 'PlusBus' – a bus service for those who have difficulty accessing mainstream transport
• 'Door 2 Door' – a transport service provided by volunteers for Hackney residents
• 'Integrated Transport Solutions' – a transport contract management service
• 'YourCar' – a door-to-door service for registered users with mobility difficulties in the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark

HCT Group provided education services supported by the Learning and Skills Council and the London Development Agency. The courses include bus driver training, particularly for women, social care, and management.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110310181716/http://www.hctgroup.org/index.php?sectionid=5 Our Learning Centre]}} on company website, retrieved 4 January 2011

{{Content|date=October 2022}}Image:Social services transport in Kensington and Chelsea.jpg transport in Kensington & Chelsea]]

HCT Group's corporate strategy was to generate profits from providing commercial transport services, then to use these profits to provide community transport services for people unable to use mainstream transport. The two modes, public transport and special need transport, are fully integrated under their model: "the investment in responsive community transport services is made possible by running the commercial activity well." The Financial Times reported in 2010 that turnover had "grown by about 25 per cent a year for the past eight years and is expected to top £20m in the year to March 31, 2010, when profits will be around £1m."[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/41e6c628-1f11-11df-9584-00144feab49a.html#axzz1A38EItsw ‘Social loan’ for cause-based groups] on Financial Times website, retrieved 4 January 2011 HCT's rapid growth is achieved by merging with smaller community transport organisations.

HCT Group CEO Dai Powell, in an article explaining the group's strategy, said the business aims to double in size every five or so years for the foreseeable future, seeing scale as "...crucial. The better we do commercially, the more we can do for the communities we serve as a social enterprise", and that the strategy is "maximising the good that we do... to be as bold as a commercial firm, but to the benefit of our communities, not to the owners of capital. It also has the advantage of keeping our social mission absolutely central to our approach." Powell contrasted this approach to that of many third sector organisations "where risk is to be mitigated at worst and eliminated at best. This is simply hopeless for rapid growth." He describes the process as "...so much more rewarding than spending your days "maximising shareholder value", whatever that means."

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://bristolcommunitytransport.org.uk/ Bristol Community Transport]
• [http://ctplus.org/ CT Plus, London]
• [http://www.buses.gg/ Guernsey Buses]
• [https://libertybus.je/ Liberty Bus, Jersey]
• [http://www.ctplusyorks.org/ CT Plus Yorkshire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172959/http://www.ctplusyorks.org/ |date=15 December 2018 }}

{{Defunct British Bus Companies}}

Category:Alternative trading organizations

Category:Former bus operators in Bristol

Category:Former bus operators in West Yorkshire

Category:Former London bus operators

Category:Social enterprises

Category:Transport companies established in 1982

Category:Transport companies disestablished in 2022

Category:1982 establishments in England

Category:2022 disestablishments in England

Category:Former bus operators in Greater Manchester

Category:Former bus operators in South Yorkshire

Category:Public transport in Jersey

Category:Public transport in Guernsey

Category:Former bus operators in Derbyshire