LYE-based Hanson's Local Bus company has been taken over by the owners of Diamond Buses.

Rotala Plc, the parent company of Diamond Buses, has bought out the Hayes Lane firm owned and run by Black Country businesswoman Margaret Hanson.

Hanson's started life in the early 1980s as a driver training operation based in Wordsley before transitioning into a coach operator offering day trips and excursions.

The firm grew from just a single coach to a small fleet before seizing on the opportunity changes to legislation brought - allowing private operators to enter the bus operator market place.

Before long the Hanson's bus service took off and from humble beginnings the company expanded to a 29-strong fleet of buses providing routes across the Black Country and West Midlands and earning a loyal customer base and devoted following of enthusiasts.

Margaret Hanson, who ran the popular bus firm with her daughter Louise, said on Facebook that Hanson's hadn’t been able to “compete with all the cheap fares” and she said of the sale: “At least this way all the drivers have still got jobs.”

And in a note on the company’s website she said: “We would like to thank our loyal passengers and, of course, all our staff for their efforts and service over many years.”

One bus fan said on the social media site that he was “genuinely sorry to see Hanson's go” and another said: “How sad a much-loved independent being swallowed up.”

Stourbridge News:

Plans are now afoot to close the Lye depot by August 28 but a spokesman for Rotala insisted there would be no redundancies as a result of the takeover - just redeployment of the 50-strong Hanson's team to other depots in Kidderminster or Tividale.

She added: "Management from Rotala Plc and Diamond Bus started the consultation process with Hanson’s staff on Friday July 28.

"The intention is to TUPE all staff from the Hanson’s business into our Diamond Bus subsidiary.

"The staff will have a choice of contractual terms and conditions, they can either remain on their current terms and conditions of employment or transfer onto the Diamond Bus terms and conditions of employment."

Bus company bosses have also stressed there will be no immediate change to Hanson’s services, timetables or ticket validity and that Hanson’s services will continue to accept nBus and Swift tickets and passes.

Diamond Bus and tickets and passes from other operators, however, are still not valid for travel on Hanson’s services and vice versa.

As well as Diamond Buses, Rotala owns a number of bus companies across the UK including Preston Bus and Wessex Bus.

For customer services enquiries passengers can continue to contact Hanson’s on 01384 894020 or email info2016@hansonslocalbus.co.uk.