Keighley Bus Company

When founded, the company was part of Tilling & British Automobile Traction. In 1927, following the company's expansion, Tilling & British Automobile Traction was renamed West Yorkshire Road Car Company, to reflect the wider service area provided.

In 1948, along with other companies that were then part of the Tilling Group, West Yorkshire Road Car Company was nationalised.

In 1968, West Yorkshire Road Car Company became a subsidiary of the National Bus Company.

In September 1987, AJS Group purchased West Yorkshire Road Car Company from the National Bus Company.{{cite web |date=3 September 1987 |title=West Yorks goes private |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/3rd-september-1987/24/west-yorks-goes-private |website=Commercial Motor |page=24}} The business was subsequently split into smaller companies, one of which became Keighley & District Travel.

In August 1991, Keighley & District Travel was included in the purchase of AJS Group by Blazefield Group, following the sale of seven of the company's eight remaining bus firms at the time – a deal valued at £2.2 million.{{cite web |date=8 August 1991 |title=AJS sells remaining bus firms |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/8th-august-1991/16/ajs-sells-remaining-bus-firms |website=Commercial Motor |page=16}}

In January 2006, French-based operator Transdev acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.{{cite web |date=7 January 2006 |title=Transdev acquires Blazefield Group |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195107if_/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Bus & Coach Professional}}

In 2010, the company was rebranded under the name Transdev in Keighley.

In July 2016, the company was again rebranded, now operating as The Keighley Bus Company.{{cite web |last=Rahman |first=Miran |date=14 July 2016 |title=Transdev introduces The Keighley Bus Company brand to its fleet of local vehicles |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/14620405.transdev-introduces-the-keighley-bus-company-brand-to-its-fleet-of-local-vehicles/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Keighley News }}{{cite web |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=4 August 2016 |title=Keighley Bus Company launched |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/keighley-bus-company-launched-2/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Bus & Coach Buyer }}{{cite web |last=Rahman |first=Miran |date=11 August 2016 |title=Investment and rebranding for bus services in Keighley is praised by council committee chairman |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/14677499.investment-and-rebranding-for-bus-services-in-keighley-is-praised-by-council-committee-chairman/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Keighley News }}{{cite magazine |date=September 2016 |title=Transdev rolls out two more rebrands |magazine=Buses Magazine |issue=738 |page=9}}

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| image1 = Keighley & District, Leyland Olympian, 906 K6 YCL - Flickr - Danny's Bus Photos.jpg

| image2 = Transdev bus 1844 (FJ08 BZR), 11 October 2009.jpg

| footer = Branding: past and present

| image3 = No.1814, OIG1814 - YJ05KHO, Keighley & District.jpg

| image4 = YJ17FVB~No.158~Keighley Bus Company.jpg

| image5 = No. 238, YJ16DWE, Keighley & District. Steeton.jpg

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The process of rebranding to The Keighley Bus Company commenced in July 2016, which saw the introduction of a two-tone green livery, as well as the investment of in the region of £2 million in new vehicles. A number of local bus services operate under this brand, including services 62 (Ilkley and Keighley), 67 (Bradford and Keighley) and 72 (Grassington and Skipton). The two-tone green livery is also used as a base for other brands, including Brontë Bus and Keighley Jets.

The AireLine brand is used on service 60, which operates between Leeds and Keighley via Shipley, running along the route of the River Aire. The service is operated by a fleet of Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini double-deck vehicles, branded in a red and green livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.{{cite web |last=Quantril |first=Tim |date=9 March 2020 |title=Aireline service to be upgraded by Keighley Bus Company |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18293007.aireline-service-upgraded-keighley-bus-company/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Bradford Telegraph & Argus }}{{cite web |last=Shand |first=Alistair |date=25 March 2020 |title=Keighley bus firm's Aireline has taken off |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/18333262.keighley-bus-firms-aireline-taken-off/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Keighley News }} The service was previously operated by Optare Versa single-deck vehicles, which were introduced in October 2017.

The Brontë Bus brand encompasses three services, which operate at a combined frequency of up to every 20 minutes between Haworth and Keighley. Services then extend hourly to Stanbury (B1), Oakworth (B2) and Hebden Bridge (B3). The service is operated by a fleet of Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone green livery. Features include free WiFi and USB charging. The service was previously operated by a fleet of Wright StreetLite single-deck vehicles, which served the route between May 2015 and May 2017.{{cite web |date=15 May 2015 |title=Brontë Bus |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/bronte-bus/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Bus & Coach Buyer }}{{cite web |last=Rahman |first=Miran |date=7 May 2015 |title=New buses and a new brand to promote Brontë Country's attractions |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/12938294.new-buses-and-a-new-brand-to-promote-bronte-countrys-attractions/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Keighley News }}

The DalesWay brand is used on service 66, which operates between Keighley and Skipton. The service is operated by a fleet of Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 double-deck vehicles. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and next stop audio-visual announcements.

In February 2021, DalesWay was permanently upgraded to a double-deck vehicles, following an increase in passenger numbers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |date=4 February 2021 |title=Transdev UK debuts bigger and better Dalesway double deckers |url=https://www.transdev.com/en/news-en/transdev-uk-bigger-better-dalesway-double-deckers/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Transdev }}{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=30 March 2021 |title=Transdev not sheepish about puns for new Dalesway service launch |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/transdev-not-sheepish-about-puns-for-new-dalesway-service-launch/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Coach & Bus Week }} Prior to the upgrade, the service was operated by a fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles, which were introduced in September 2016.{{cite web |date=15 September 2016 |title=Dale takes the load on new Keighley to Skipton bus service |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/14744188.dale-takes-the-load-on-new-keighley-to-skipton-bus-service/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Craven Herald & Pioneer }}

The Shuttle brand is used on service 662, which operates between Bradford and Keighley via Shipley. The service is operated by a fleet of Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone blue livery. Features include free WiFi and USB charging.{{cite news |last=Shand |first=Alistair |date=4 December 2015 |title=Makeover for Keighley buses |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/14123777.makeover-for-keighley-buses/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |work=Keighley News }}{{cite news |date=2 December 2015 |title=Transdev launches The Shuttle |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/transdev-launches-shuttle/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Buyer }}

In October 2023, Transdev announced that the route will be converted to use battery electric buses through a £7.5 million order for 15 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro single-deck buses, partially funded by the UK government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.{{Cite news |last=Peat |first=Chris |date=16 October 2023 |title=Transdev orders 15 electric E-Citaros to convert route |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/transdev-orders-15-electric-e-citaros-to-convert-route/ |access-date=16 October 2023 |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |language=en-GB}}

The Keighley Jets brand encompassed a total of seventeen local bus services, which operated in and around the market town of Keighley. Services were operated by a fleet of Mellor Strata minibuses and Optare Solo single-deck buses, which were branded in a two-tone green livery. Features include free WiFi, USB power and audio-visual next stop announcements.{{cite web |last=Dougall |first=Emily |date=30 May 2018 |title=Keighley Jets to expand in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/keighley-jets-to-expand-in-partnership-with-west-yorkshire-combined-authority/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Coach & Bus Week }}{{cite news |date=21 June 2018 |title=Transdev adds Jets and reduces Zap |pages=18 |work=Buses |issue=760}} Though there has not been any official announcement from the company, the Keighley Jets livery has seemingly been retired from its fleet, though the routes still maintain their K prefix and features mentioned above.{{cite web |last=Hilson |first=Aaron |date=31 May 2022 |title=Keighley network improvements drive bounce-back |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/keighley-network-improvements-drive-bounce-back/ |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=CBW }}

In October 2017, the company took over operation of service 965 (Otley and Weston) from First Leeds.{{cite web |last=Dougall |first=Emily |date=8 August 2017 |title=Keighley Bus Company to take over First service |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/keighley-bus-company-take-first-service/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Coach & Bus Week }}{{cite web |date=7 August 2017 |title=Keighley Bus Company expands Wharfedale Links services |url=https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/15458306.keighley-bus-company-expands-wharfedale-links-services/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Keighley News }}{{Efn|Prior to this date, The Keighley Bus Company operated evening and Sunday services.}} Initially encompassed under the Wharfedale Links brand, the service was rebranded Otley Dash in March 2021.{{cite web |last=Lomax |first=Claire |date=1 March 2021 |title=New link from town to train as Otley Dash buses take to the road |url=https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/19126281.new-link-town-train-otley-dash-buses-take-road/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Ilkley Gazette }}{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=2 March 2021 |title=Smart new look in Otley |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/smart-new-look-in-otley/amp/ |website=Coach & Bus Week}}{{cite web |date=10 March 2021 |title=Transdev UK is providing Otley better bus services |url=https://www.transdev.com/en/news-en/transdev-uk-otley-bus-services/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Transdev }} It was operated by Optare Solo single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone cream and green livery. On 19 February 2023, the company's services on Otley Dash came to an end when the contract for the tender ended. The tender for the route was then awarded to Connexionsbuses, however evening and Sunday journeys are run by sister company Flyer's route A3.{{cite web |title=Major bus shake-up revealed - with winners and losers |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/ilkleynews/23315229.shake-bus-routes-ilkley-otley-guiseley-yeadon-revealed/ |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus }}{{cite web |title=Connexions to operate the Wharfedale services again - Connexions |url=https://www.connexionsbuses.com/connexions-to-operate-the-wharfedale-services-again |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=www.connexionsbuses.com}}{{cite web |date=19 February 2023 |title=Changes to Otley Dash & Wharfedale Links |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/keighley/network-changes/72042d6b-3109-422b-9ab0-c23af7b92d7e |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=Transdev}}{{cite web |date=19 February 2023 |title=Changes to FLYER A3 from 19 February |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/flyer/network-changes/e7e3ac07-cb84-4af1-9b3c-9bd1818a6e0e |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=Transdev}}

In October 2016, the company gained the contract for services 963 (Holt Park and Wharfedale Hospital), 966 (Guiseley and Yeadon) and 967 (Leeds Bradford Airport and Menston), which operated under the Wharfedale Links brand. The services were operated by a fleet of Optare Solo single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone cream and green livery. As of 2022, the Wharfedale Links brand consisted of the services 948 (Eccleshill to Apperley Bridge), 962 (Otley to Burley in Wharfedale then Ilkley) and 966.{{cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title=Timetables & Maps - The Keighley Bus Company |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/keighley/services |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628001013/https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/keighley/services |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=Transdev}}

On 19 February 2023, the company's services on Wharfedale Links came to an end when the contracts for the tenders ended. The tender for the 962 was awarded to Connexionsbuses, and an off-peak replacement service for the 966 started operation by Squarepeg on 6 March. The 948 was suspended.{{cite web |title=Otley, Ilkley, Guiseley and Yeadon local bus services update {{!}} Metro |url=https://www.wymetro.com/corporate/news/releases/otley-ilkley-guiseley-and-yeadon-local-bus-services-update/ |access-date=21 March 2023 |website=www.wymetro.com}}

As of April 2022, the company operates two depots in the market town of Keighley.{{Efn|Depots are located at Marriner Road and Suresnes Road.}}

As of April 2022, the fleet consists of in the region of 125 buses. The fleet consists of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Optare, Wrightbus, and Plaxton, as well as minibuses manufactured by Mellor.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{commons-inline}}
• [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02113404 Keighley & District Travel] and [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02605399 Transdev Blazefield Limited] on Companies House
• [https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/keighley/ The Keighley Bus Company] website

{{Bus companies in Yorkshire}}{{Transdev Blazefield}}

Category:Bus operators in West Yorkshire

Category:Keighley

Category:Transdev