Halton Transport

Halton Transport

Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Darts
in August 2012
Parent Halton Borough Council
Founded Widnes Corporation Motor Omnibus Department in 1909
Halton Borough Council Passenger Transport Department in 1974
Halton Borough Transport in 1986
Headquarters Widnes
Service area Cheshire
Merseyside
Service type Bus services
Destinations Liverpool
Runcorn
St Helens
Warrington
Widnes
Fleet 73 (March 2016)
Chief executive Colin Stafford
Website www.haltontransport.co.uk
Leyland Lynx in Liverpool

Halton Transport[1] is a bus operator running within the Borough of Halton (including the towns of Widnes and Runcorn) and into the surrounding area, including Warrington, St Helens, Prescot, Whiston, Huyton and Liverpool.

History

Halton Transport's origins can be traced back to April 1909 when Widnes Corporation Motor Omnibus Department commenced operating a bus service. Over the next few decades the network expanded to most parts of Widnes and in 1961 following the opening of the Runcorn Bridge extended to Runcorn. As part of local government organisation in 1974 control passed to the Halton Council.[2][3]

To comply with the Transport Act 1985, the operation was transferred into a separate legal entity.[1] Unlike many other municipal operators it was not privatised and remains owned by Halton Borough Council. Bus deregulation saw Halton Transport expand its sphere of operation to other areas including Liverpool.[2][3]

Fleet

As of January 2014, the fleet consists of 64 buses.[4]

Halton Transport were a long time Leyland National operator, purchasing 20 new between 1972 and 1985 including the last one built. A further 27 were purchased second hand between 1986 and 1989. It then purchased 36 Leyland Lynxes between 1986 and 1992 including the last one built.[5]

Between 1994 and 2005, Halton standardised on the Dennis Dart, purchasing a total of 80 new[6] and three second hand. Bodywork for the majority was supplied by Marshall Bus, but the final 21, delivered between late 2002 and spring 2005, received East Lancs Myllennium bodywork.

From 2007 to 2010 sixteen examples of the Dart's successor, the Alexander Dennis Enviro200, were purchased, the first twelve having MCV Evolution bodywork.

Between 2013 and 2015 Halton purchased a number of second hand vehicles from various operators. These included 6 Optare Solo minibuses in 2013 and then 14 Scania Omnicities in 2014 from Metrobus, followed by 3 Plaxton Pointer darts in 2015 from Abellio Surrey.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Companies House extract company no 1994122 Halton Borough Transport Limited
  2. 1 2 History of Halton Borough Transport Limited Halton Borough Transport
  3. 1 2 Halton Transport 100 Years 1909 - 2009 Halton Transport 2009
  4. ↑ Halton fleet list at North West Buses website
  5. ↑ Halton Transport No 57 North West Bus Museum
  6. ↑ Buses purchased by Halton Transport, 1974 to date
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