Whittles

Coach tour operator based in Kidderminster, England

Whittles

Whittles Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B8R in April 2019

Parent| Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel
Founded| 1926
Headquarters| Kidderminster
Service type| Coach operator
Depots| 1
Website| www.whittlecoach.co.uk

Whittles is a coach tour operator based in Kidderminster, England.

## History

[edit]

Whittles was founded in 1926 in Highley, taking miners to and from villages to the coal pits, and hauling coal in between shift changes.[1] The founder was J. T. Whittle, and he ran the business of J. T. Whittle & Son with members of his family. Later, three of them – J. T., F. W. and G. E. Whittle – formed a partnership to own the business. The partners became G. E., R. A. and D. L. Whittle in 1964. G. E. Whittle died in 1970.[2]

In January 1975, G. E. Whittle's daughter and an heir to his fortune, 17 year old Lesley Whittle was kidnapped and killed by murderer and armed robber Donald Neilson, dubbed "The Black Panther " by the British Press.[3]

In October 1980, it commenced operating express services from Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to London under the Goldhawk brand.[4][5] In 1981 it began operating these services in an alliance with National Express.[6] In 1990, Narburgh Coaches of Alveley was purchased with 16 vehicles, taking the fleet to 53.[7][8]

In January 2004, the business was purchased by East Yorkshire Motor Services with 49 vehicles.[8][9] In December 2014, the coach business was sold to Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel with nine coaches.[10][11][12]

The contracted National Express services were taken over by National Express, while the local bus services ceased on 5 January 2015.[13][14][15]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ A little bit of history Whittles
2. ^ Witton, Alan M., ed. (July 1980). Fleetbook 6: Buses of West Midlands (3rd ed.). Manchester: A.M. Witton. p. 62\. ISBN 0-86047-063-6.
3. ^ "Murderer Donald Neilson, the 'Black Panther', dies". BBC News. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
4. ^ Whittling Commercial Motor 20 September 1980
5. ^ Go Whittle Goldhawk Commercial Motor 27 September 1980
6. ^ Leapfrog to Brum Commercial Motor 11 April 1981
7. ^ Go Whittle goes for Narburgh fleet Commercial Motor 8 November 1990
8. ^ a b Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. pp. 193/194. ISBN 978-0-9552876-3-3.
9. ^ EYMS to buy Whittle Bus & Coach Professional 9 January 2004
10. ^ Johnsons to acquire Whittle's coach operationBus & Coach Buyer 18 December 2014
11. ^ Johnsons New Owners of Whittles Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel
12. ^ Henley's Johnsons to buy Whittles Route One 18 December 2014
13. ^ Whittle Coach & Bus Future Whittle Coach & Bus 16 December 2014
14. ^ Johnsons acquires Whittle from EYMS Group Transport News Brief 18 December 2014
15. ^ Peter Shipp Bus & Coach Buyer 9 March 2015

## External links

[edit]

Media related to Whittle (bus company) at Wikimedia Commons

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