Starting Bus services - from scratch ?

Question

I am thinking of starting up a bus company from scratch serving the local area, each bus route in my town will have up to about 3 different operators running it.

Therefore you take your pick on which company to use.

But the question is, What do I need, do I need any special insurance. (don't state anything too obvious, like 'A Bus')

Answer 1

I think you need an operators licence - lots of studying for that - and obviously a bus!

You will need to tender for council contracts and therefore your bus will need to comply with their request - ie, disabled access (low floor). You will also need to be able to maintain your vehicles and do regular services on them - unless you know a local garage with facilites for servicing buses. If you are going alone then there is the danger of what happens when you break down - spare bus? roadside recovery?

Running a bus or coach company is not very profitable - everyone is fighting for what little work there is, and if you operate your own service without the support local council subsidies then you are relying entirely on passengers' fares.

Add up the costs: Bus, Fuel, Road Tax (£350), Insurance, Roadside Assistance inc tyre cover, Servicing, Repairs inc vandalism/accidents (broken windows, wing mirrors, torn/broken seats, stolen emergancy glass hammers etc..), Other inc engine coolant, oil, screenwash, wiper blades, ticket machine, ticket rolls, timetable printing and advertising, cleaning of vehicle - inside and out DAILY if it's wet weather.

Your best bet is to get a job at a small independant bus/coach company, and brown-nose your way up to the top - get them to pay you while you train on the job, when you have the knowledge and the funds then you can set up your own company - but remember, you will probably be competing with companies like First, Stagecoach, Arriva, Travel etc....and they have means and ways of putting the competition (you) out of business VERY easily!

It CAN be done, take Centrebus from leicester - set up by a few ex-drivers, but you need expereince, knowledge and MONEY on your side!!

:)