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Diamond East Midlands, formerly Midland Classic, is a bus company from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England. Since August 2022, the company is a subsidiary of Rotala.

History

Midland Classic

A Midland Classic Optare MetroCity in Lichfield in July 2018

Midland Classic was founded in July 2005 by James Boddice and John Mason with a pair of London Central AEC Routemasters operating charter services. Boddice had a 69% shareholding with D&G Bus proprietor David Reeves, and Julian Peddle each having 13% and John Mitchelson 5%. It later diversified into operating route services.

In April 2016, Midland Classic entered talks with Arriva Midlands to purchase its Stanton Road, Burton upon Trent garage and fleet.[1][2] The deal took effect on 27 August 2016 with 30 buses and 80 staff transferring.[3] All routes later transferred to the Wetmore Road garage, with the Stanton Road garage closing.[4]

During the 2021 Go North West strike, Midland Classic was one of a number of bus operators who provided vehicles and drivers to operate services on behalf of Go North West along with Edwards Coaches and Selwyns Travel.[5]

In June 2022, Midland Classic underwent a fares revision which included a joint day-ticket with Select Bus Services and Chaserider.[6][7]

On 1 August 2022, Midland Classic took over routes 125 and 129, expanding its reach of services out to Leicester, Coalville and Loughborough.[8]

Diamond East Midlands

Rotala Group acquired Midland Classic on 3 August 2022, for £2 million. The business was rebranded to Diamond East Midlands, with buses from other Diamond operations being transferred into the fleet and a repaint programme for pre-existing Midland Classic vehicles beginning.[9] The services and fleet also become directly controlled from the group's headquarters in Tividale in November 2022.[10][11][12]

In October 2022, Diamond East Midlands began running contract services for Derbyshire County Council, further extending their reach of services out towards Derby and the surrounding areas.[13]

In June 2023, Rotala reversed the decision to create a multi-operator day ticket with Select Bus Services and Chaserider as part of the Diamond East Midlands Rebranding.[14] Following this in January 2024, they also withdrew from accepting Staffordshire Knot tickets on the majority of routes, citing its "impact on commercial viability".[15]

Services

Diamond East Midlands are the main provider of services around Burton upon Trent with services extending to Swadlincote, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Uttoxeter, Lichfield, Melbourne, East Midlands Airport, Derby, and other surrounding towns and villages.

Services are also operated on behalf of Leicestershire County Council between Ashby & Loughborough (129) and Leicester & Castle Donington via Coalville (125).[8] Services are also operated on behalf of Derbyshire County Council in Derby and the local surrounding areas.

References

  1. ^ Arriva in talks to sell Burton bus services to Midland Classic[permanent dead link] Burton Mail 26 April 2016
  2. ^ Arriva plans sale of Burton operation to Midland Classic Route One 27 April 2016
  3. ^ "Arriva transfers Burton operation to Midland Classic" Coach & Bus Week issue 1255 30 August 2016 page 6
  4. ^ Buses Yearbook 2021. Key Publishing. 2020. pp. 93–99. ISBN 978-1-913295-53-0.
  5. ^ "#NoGo: solidarity with the Go NW bus strike". Manchester Trades Union Council. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Select Bus Services - Tickets available from myTrip". mytrip.today. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Network Zone - Midland Classic - Tickets available from myTrip". mytrip.today. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Supported bus services timetables > Choose How You Move".
  9. ^ Bunn, George; Mack, Tom (22 August 2022). "Midland Classic red and yellow buses to turn blue after transport firm takeover". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Midland Classic bought by Rotala as group grows reach". routeone. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  11. ^ Peat, Chris (3 August 2022). "Rotala acquires Midland Classic". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  12. ^ Hodgkiss, Samuel (4 August 2022). "Burton bus firm Midland Classic is sold". Staffordshire Live. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  13. ^ "New Derby Routes From 3 October 2022 | Midland Classic". 26 September 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  14. ^ "EM Chaserider Ticket Changes | Diamond Bus". www.diamondbuses.com. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Staffordshire Knot Withdrawal | Diamond Bus". www.diamondbuses.com. Retrieved 19 January 2024.

External links

Media related to Midland Classic at Wikimedia Commons

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