THE coach division of an historic bus company has been saved after a rival operator took it over.
Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel has acquired Whittles Coaches from EYMS Group and will retain the company’s branding.
The takeover means the jobs of 16 employees who worked in the coach division of Whittle Bus and Coach Company in Kidderminster have been saved.
Johnsons, based in Henley-in-Arden, is now planning to launch the new Whittles Holiday and Day Excursions brochures in mid-February.
Whittles, established in 1929, has been running day trips across the country from boarding points in Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport.
Peter Johnson, director of Johnsons, said: “The Whittles name has long stood for top quality coach travel with friendly service and we are determined for this to continue, under the new ownership of Johnsons Coach Travel. We are also delighted to have secured the services of 16 of their staff."
The News reported in November that Whittle was being sold by Yorkshire-based EYMS due to years of operating losses.
Bus services were thrown into doubt as drivers left the ailing firm, prompting Worcestershire and Shropshire County Councils to take on the routes or help find new providers.
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