Sullivan Buses
 | |
 Wright Eclipse GeminibodiedVolvo B7TLin 2009 | |
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | South Mimms |
| Service area | North London Hertfordshire Surrey |
| Service type | Bus services |
| Routes | 30 (April 2024) |
| Depots | 2 |
| Fleet | 111 (November 2020) |
| Chief executive | Dean Sullivan |
| Website | www.sullivanbuses.com |
Sullivan Bus & Coach Limited,[1]trading asSullivan Buses,is a bus company based inSouth Mimms,Hertfordshire,England. Founded in 1998, it operates local bus services in and around Hertfordshire and northLondonincluding school services, rail replacement bus services in and near London, bus links inSurreyto and fromThorpe Parkand vehicle hire for television programmes.
History[edit]
Sullivan Buses was founded in 1998 by formerLondon Undergroundmanager Dean Sullivan.[2][3]
Sullivan Buses operates public and school bus routes inHertfordshireandNorth London.Rail replacement work, particularly on theLondon Underground,is also operated. In 2004, this work contributed to two-thirds of the company's turnover of £3 million.[2]Sullivan Buses vehicles frequently appear in film and television broadcasts and advertisements, partially because of the company location's proximity to theElstree Studios.By August 2007, 20 different buses had been used in over 30 productions.[4][5]
In January 2005, Sullivan Buses purchased Southlands Travel, located atPollhillinKent,but this operation ceased in February 2007, with some of the routes passing to Griffin Bus, who operated initially from Pollhill before moving toLongfield.In May 2011 Griffin Bus ceased operations and their routes were transferred over to other operators.[citation needed]
Due to increased traffic congestion,Hertfordshire County Council-controlled route B3 was revised with additional running time and made significant changes to timings to meet train arrivals and departures from July 2012.[6]Starting from September 2012, Sullivan Buses won TfL tenders forschool routes628, 653, 683 and 688 fromArriva London.This came after the company also won the tender forroute 298.[7]
Sullivan Buses won the TfL tender onroute W9and retained route 298 in 2016, both acquiring brand-newAlexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCbuses as a result.[8]
From 1 September 2018, Sullivan Buses axed a section of commercial route 398 betweenWatfordandBorehamwood.To minimise inconvenience, route 306 improved its evening frequencies to every 15 minutes.[9]
In May 2021, it was announced Sullivan Buses would take over the TfL tender for route 549 from 12 March 2022.[10]
In February 2022, Sullivan Buses announced the takeover ofroute 84betweenPotters BarandSt Albans,followingMetroline's decision to withdraw from the route. The effects took place on 2 April 2022.[11][12]
Depot[edit]
South Mimms (SM)[edit]
As of January 2024, South Mimms garage operates routes217,298,299,327,389,399,549,605,606,617,629,640andW9.[13]As of April 2024, it also operates 17 other routes either operated under contract toHertfordshire County Councilor commercially.
North Mymms[edit]
Sullivan Buses operate a maintenance facility based at North Mymms providing services to all of Sullivan's fleet.[14]
Staines[edit]
Sullivan operate a small garage based in Staines to maintain theirThorpe Parkfleet.[14]
Fleet[edit]
The fleet initially was built up with exTransport for LondonLeyland Olympians,Leyland Titans,MCW MetrobusesandVolvo Olympians.As at November 2020, the fleet consisted of 111 buses, including anAEC Routemasterheritage vehicle and a driver training vehicle.[15]The fleet dedicated to Transport for London operations consisted of 74 buses as at March 2023.[16]
References[edit]
- ^Companies House extract company no 3574547Sullivan Bus & Coach Limited
- ^abCompetition Commission - Summary of hearing with Sullivan Buses Ltd on 30 September 2004Competition Commission
- ^HistorySullivan Buses
- ^Brown, Peter (August 2007). "When buses must pass the screen test".Buses(629).Ian Allan Publishing:30–32.
- ^Film & Television HireSullivan Buses
- ^"Changes to B3 bus route defended by Sullivan Buses and Hertfordshire County Council".Borehamwood & Elstree Times.27 September 2012.Retrieved12 February2022.
- ^"Sullivan Buses awarded two routes in latest tenders".Alexander Dennis.12 October 2011.Retrieved12 February2022.
- ^"Sullivan Buses adds TfL route with eight new ADL Enviro200".Alexander Dennis.14 February 2017.Retrieved12 February2022.
- ^"Sullivan Buses axes 398 route between Borehamwood and Watford".Borehamwood & Elstree Times.21 August 2018.Retrieved12 February2022.
- ^"SULLIVAN BUSES - News".12 February 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2022.Retrieved14 February2022.
- ^"Latest".Sullivan Buses.Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2022.
- ^"Route 84: Majority of 'lifeline' Potters Bar and St Albans bus route saved after Metroline withdrew service".Hertfordshire Mercury.11 February 2022.Retrieved12 February2022.
- ^"Sullivan Buses - list of routes".Sullivan Buses.
- ^abSullivanbuses.co.uk
- ^Bus FleetSullivan Buses
- ^Bus Fleet AuditTransport for London
External links[edit]
Media related toSullivan Busesat Wikimedia Commons
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