Premiere Travel by Perry Jest

In August 2007, premiere travel registered several new routes in Nottinghamshire and a couple in Derbyshire following the successful acquisition of ‘local-bus’ contract services, which were previously operated by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Traction company LTD (Notts & Derby).

At the time, among bus enthusiasts there was a bit of scepticism some believed that premiere didn’t have the relevant service experience to make a success of operating the local-bus contracts, feeling that their brief experience with service 12 (Nottingham – Leicester) and school buses a long with railway replacements and an absolute host of experience providing “Excellent customer service” whilst operating providing private hire contracts were what they should stick to.

I remember saying at the time, that if Premiere get the right implementation plan in at the time, and make a crack at operating the Supermarket contracts, with a reliable friendly services, then they were half way there. I thought that Premiere was a company to watch, and indeed over this past year, they’ve proved me right!

They seem to be an ambitious company who are ready to provide a first class service on their localbus and service work.

When Notts+Derby lost the contracts for schools work and localbus work, some of their contracted service buses were also operated, Service 17 linked Stapleford with Beeston – this was to become extended to Nottingham under Premiere’s running, and operate the City Centre in a loop, and became very successful with its regular passengers as well as attracting new patronage with their very good value for money, ten trip for ten pounds deal (which is available on all the routes they operate) which the bigger Nottinghamshire operators can’t seem to compete with.

Over the past year the localbus services have been revised in to the City Council’s “Link” branding, and fall under the Shop-link branding, the City Council have realised the potential these routes have and the fact that demand is there!

Service X3 was registered when Notts + Derby gave up on their EX service, this links Hucknall Estates with Nottingham (and vice-versa) at peak times, this service now operates from the more convenient stopping location of Parliament Street rather than the ‘tucked away’ Victoria Bus Station, and operates with low floor vehicles.

Service X1 is a service which has proved very popular with passengers that want a seat as well as a direct bus to Nottingham, which if possible works out cheaper than the current offering. Premiere came in and offered the Bingham based passengers a ten trip for ten pounds ticket option, which has become an instant hit and has become an instant success, a long with providing a better range of stopping locations in Nottingham (again, the City loop.)

There is a service 7 which links Nottingham with Mapperley, Lambley, Woodborough and Calverton and over 80 or so years this had until now only ever been operated by Barton and their successors, Barton Buses then Notts and Derby again, however when the company decided that it was in their best interests to give up after such a long time, Dunn-Line (Veolia Midlands) took over operating the service, in summer 2008 there was the shock announcement that Veolia were to cease operating the services much to the surprise of passengers and drivers alike! Non the less Premiere stood in and took over operating the service, with red Enviro 300 single Decker vehicles with your7™ branding, again offering the ten trip ten pounds deal and providing Premiere with a foothold in another area of Nottinghamshire.

The vehicles.

Over the past year, premiere have made a variety of acquisitions vehicle wise, including 3 Transbus Enviro 300 single deckers (ex Newbury/Reading buses) two carried a blue and white localbus livery, until the revisions and now carry Shop-link livery and branding.

The other carries the your7™ livery and branding respectively.

Premiere has also had an Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 demonstrator (07 plate) for a while now and this is often seen out and about, it’s now outdated as a demonstrator as the model has changed in dimensions and model appearance. Consequently there’s heavy speculation and rumour that Premiere are to purchase this vehicle.

The coaching operation has not ceased or died down too much either, they’ve had a brand new luxury Mercedes Benz Tourismo coach delivered recently, a long with a Cheetah mini-coach too.

A number of service buses have been acquired, at the time there was a major demand for vehicles as a result a couple of Nationals were purchased from the auctions at CHASE, following the Arriva takeover. A number of Dennis Lance/Plaxton Verde buses have been acquired from Diamond, some receiving full repaint and LED screens fitted.

The company has a white Enviro 200 in service, deputising for an Enviro 200 which is well overdue but is expected here soon – in full shop-link colours.

Some interesting acquisitions include East Lancs Darts from Bournemouth, Yellow buses, 453 is expected to receive a new lick of paint in the near future too.

With new contracts/routes, Premiere have tried to expand the Low Floor fleet, they have hired vehicles direct from Dawson Rentals, these being 4 Optare Solos and 3 Optare Excels.

One thing’s for sure, Premiere have a bright future, and if the current management team continue in this manner, they’ll no doubt have a lot of success to toast in the future.

Good luck!

Perry Jest - 04th Oct 08