National Express has completed the purchase of the coach and engineering operations of Bournemouth Transport Ltd which traded as Yellow Buses.

In a statement the public transport operator, best known in the UK for its coach operations, said the acquisition safeguarded 50 jobs.

It added: “Our management team has already been speaking to individuals and teams to manage the relevant processes and we are positive about the future of our operations in Bournemouth.

“This purchase will ensure we can maintain the services previously run by Bournemouth Transport Ltd, on behalf of National Express, and continue to offer the UK-wide network of great value, convenient and quality intercity scheduled coach services that we are so well known for.”

National Express stressed the purchase did not include the Yellow Coaches brand or its book order of private hire work.

That has been acquired by Eastleigh-based Xela Group.

As reported by Dorset Biz News, Yellow Buses ceased trading last Thursday, just six days after being placed in administration.

The collapse followed the lack of a buyer for its bus operations.

Upwards of 200 people were made redundant.

Rival operator Morebus stepped in to take over the routes and also offer jobs to many of the former Yellow Buses’ staff.

Now Andrew Wickham, Managing Director, pictured left, has heaped praise on his team.

It followed the successful introduction of ten new services across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

More than 100 new drivers were also recruited over the weekend.

He said: “I am in awe of this incredible operation by my team, to ensure our local community is able to keep moving.

“With little more than 48 hours’ notice, we have been able to recruit more than 100 new staff and implement a raft of new services which, despite their speedy introduction, have run even more smoothly than expected.

“Given the short time we have had to react, there will inevitably be some minor teething troubles, and we will be working hard to resolve these over the coming weeks.

“Our recruitment event in Bournemouth at the weekend was so successful that we were in a position to add three more services to our operation – routes 18, 33 and 36 – on behalf of BCP Council.

“I’m delighted by the reception we have had from our new customers across the region, and it has been wonderful to welcome them on board.

‘We’re pleased to have been able to step in and help them get where they need to go, and I’m looking forward to increasing our offering still further – including the popular open top seaside services, which will be back next year.

“I’d like to thank the entire team at Morebus – including our new colleagues – who have worked incredibly hard to ensure such a smooth and efficient transition.”

Morebus has a limited number of vacancies for full-time and part-time drivers, to enable it to expand services still further.

The bus operator is offering its £2,000 welcome bonus to holders of a valid PCV licence, and bus driving experience, until the end of August.

Full training is provided to those without previous bus driving experience.

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Sad end of a 120-year-old company which had survived two world wars and countless recessions and downturns:

End of 120 years of service and a sight unlikely to be seen again as Yellow Buses cease trading

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“Incredibly sad” but no real shock says union as Yellow Buses’ staff wait to hear their fate

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