Northumberland Travel have commenced operation of route 471 between Alnwick and Thropton, taking over from Liberty Coaches.

They have acquired two PSVAR-compliant Mercedes Sprinters for the service, the origins and identities of these are unknown as they rely heavily on generative AI for their social media posts.

seen them at alnwick bus station at the weekend, but not tracking at all??
couldn't tell you what vehicle it was, but the plates had a Scottish sticker on them

not too confident with them given their seizure inducing social media posts, but then again, that's not what makes somebody a good operator or not

Companies House is interesting

The previous incarnation (run by the same guy) dissolved just 4 months after being set up in 2023.

The current one looks dicey as out - heavily funded by creditors (over £185k on supplier trade)

Overall, while the company is fundamentally profitable and expanding its asset base, these are high-risk accounts showing a severe liquidity crisis where short-term debts heavily outweigh liquid assets . The business is in a vulnerable financial position because it has aggressively funded long-term vehicle expansion by delaying massive payments to its suppliers

Northumberland Travel take over the 419 from Arriva. Still only running Saturdays but 6 journeys now. 3 clockwise & 3 anticlockwise

Moving On With Northumberland Travel

Today has seen the Northumberland County Council contracted 419 service transferred to Northumberland Travel, the service was originally operated by Arriva Northumbria. The change of the contract also sees the 419 increase the level of service of the Saturday only service.


Here we see Northumberland Travel BSZ 2403 which was new to Avis Budget Heathrow as their 15 BG63 VVA, she later passed to Reading Buses as their 381. After this, she was acquired by McCulloch of Stoneykirk.


BSZ 2403 is seen here arriving at Morpeth Bus Station, having worked the first anticlockwise working of the day on the 419.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpbsp/55509858133/

Here it is whilst operating for Reading Buses.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...6731538885