Buses and Coaches of South West England and Wales

Over the past thirty years the bus and coach scene across South West England and Wales has seen continual change, from the minibus era to the low-floor revolution. A vast array of vehicle types have been operated, with inter-company transfers by the larger groups of particular interest as well as those vehicles acquired ‘second-hand’. While many of the smaller operators have come and gone, a good number still provide vital transport links, often filling gaps left by the larger companies. Much consolidation has taken place over the past three decades with many companies now under the control of the industry’s major organisations. Numerous municipal operators once existed in Wales but all bar two have now closed or been taken over by larger companies. Some surprising moves are also detailed here, such as First Group’s virtual removal from Devon and Cornwall and the considerable expansion of the Stagecoach and Go-Ahead groups. The areas covered make up large parts of the ‘tourist trail’ in these regions with associated operations detailed alongside routes taken regularly by local residents. Matt Cooper’s carefully curated selection of images captures the transition from the post-deregulation era to that which exists today via a fascinating route that features a wide range of companies.