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{{Short description|Bus company based in Derbyshire, UK}}
{{seealso|Centrebus}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox Bus transit {{Infobox Bus transit
| name = Bowers |name = Bowers Coaches
| logo = |logo =
| logo_size = |logo_size =
| image = ] |image = Bus stop - geograph.org.uk - 510662.jpg
| image_size = 50px |image_size = 280
|image_caption = ] bodied ] in ] in May 2005
| image_caption = Bowers bus with the pre-Centrebus livery
|company_slogan = Serving the Peak District<br>Serving Derbyshire and Cheshire
| parent = ]
|parent = ]
| company_slogan = Serving the High Peak <ref name="Bowers - serving Derbyshire and Cheshire - Home" />
| founded = 1952 by<br>Eric W. Bowers<ref name="Companies House - Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited" /> |founded = 1952
|ceased = 2012 (merged to form ]
| ] = '''Operational''': Aspincroft Garage, Town End, ], ], ]<br>''']''': ], 37 Wenlock Way, ], ], LE4 9HU<ref name="Companies House - Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited">
|headquarters = ]
{{cite web
|locale = ]<br>]
| title = Companies House - Web CHeck - Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited
|service_area = ]<br>]<br>]
| publisher = ]
|service_type = Bus operator
| url = http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/d5ff2faff8b2ddea734e5df03f4e9282/compdetails
|hubs =
| accessdate = 2009-12-31}} Co Reg# 00548351
|stations =
</ref>
|depots = 1
| locale = ], ]
|routes = 19 (March 2012)
| service_area = ], ], ]
|fleet = 29 (August 2011)
| service_type = ]
|ridership =
| hubs = ], ], ], ], ]
| stations = |fuel_type =
| operator = Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited |operator =
| lounge = |ceo =
|website = }}
| fleet = ], Plaxton Mercedes 0814
| ridership =
| fuel_type = ]
| ceo =
| website =
}}


'''Bowers Coaches'''<ref> Eric W Bowers Limited</ref> was a bus company based in ], ], England. The company operated bus and coach services in ], Derbyshire and ] from 1952 until 2012. In its later years, it was a subsidiary of ] and in 2012 it was merged with the Dove Holes depot of ] to form ].
'''Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited''' trading as '''Bowers'''<ref name="Bowers - serving Derbyshire and Cheshire - Home">
{{cite web
| title = Bowers - serving Derbyshire and Cheshire - Home
| publisher = Centrebus
| url = http://bowersbuses.com/default.aspx
| accessdate = 2009-12-31}}
</ref> (formerly known as ''Bowers Coaches'') is a bus operator based in the ] district of ] in the ]. It is currently a subsidiary of the ], having been so since 2007, and prior to that an independent family business. It operates local bus services centered around the towns of ], ] and ]. The company specialises in local bus services and the service area covers the High Peak Borough and some surrounding areas such as the town of ] in Stockport and ] in the ]. Some time after the centrebus purchase of the company in 2007, the company was rebranded to 'Bowers'<ref name="Bowers - serving Derbyshire and Cheshire - Home" /> from the previous name of 'Bowers Coaches', however the legal entity of the company is still 'Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited'.<ref name="Companies House - Eric W. Bowers Coaches Limited" />


==History==
In addition, after the takeover, the majority of buses added to the fleet have been painted in the Centrebus corporate livery of Orange and Blue, however they do contain the Bowers name. However, in early 2010 buses appearing on route 27 were repainted to say 'Cheshire Connect operated by Centrebus.'
] bodied ] in ] in August 2009]]
] in ] in August 2012]]
Bowers Coaches was founded in 1952 by Eric Bower as a coach operator.<ref> '']'' 7 November 1958</ref> In 1957, the charter operations of Park Hire Garages & Motors were acquired.<ref> ''Commercial Motor'' 6 September 1957</ref> It later expanded into local bus operation, particularly after ] in 1986. Based in the ] district of ], it operated services centred on the towns of ], ] and ] extending to some surrounding areas such as the town of ] in ] and ] in the ].


In June 2007, the business was purchased by ] who introduced its corporate orange and blue livery, but retained the Bowers trading name. Bowers ceased trading on 31 March 2012 when Centrebus entered a 50/50 joint venture with ] that saw the latter's ] subsidiary combine its ] operations with those of Bowers to form ].<ref> '']'' 18 May 2011</ref><ref> ''Bus & Coach Professional'' 24 May 2011</ref><ref> Trentbarton</ref>
==Bus route list==
The summary below contains the local bus routes in parts of Derbyshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester (both those operated under contract to local authorities and those which are commercial). School services are not included.
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
!No. !! Route
|-
!27
| (] -) ] - ] - (Astra Zeneca, Alderley Park -) ] - ]
|-
|-
!42<br>42A
| ] - ] '''Direct '''<br>] - ] - ] - ] - ]
|-
!58
| (] - ] -)] - Cat & Fiddle - ]
|-
!60
| (] -) ] - ] - ]
|-
!61
| ] – ] - ] - ] - ]
|-
!62
| ] – ] - ] or<br> ] - ] - ]
|-
!62A
| ] - Thornsett - ] (- ] - ])<ref>Early Morning Journeys Only</ref>
|-
!63
| ] – Stoneheads Circular
|-
!64
| ] - ] - ] - ] - ]
|-
!76
| ] Town Service (Circular)
|-
!118
| ] - ]
|-
!177
| ] - ] - ] - ]
|-
!189<br>190
| ] - ](189 only) - ](190 only) – ] - ] – ]
|-
!200
| ] – ] - ]
|-
!300
| ] Town Circular
|-
!389
| ] Town Services (Circulars)
|-
!393
| Padfield – ] – Shirebrook Park (Circular)
|-
!411
| ] – ] – ] - ]
|-
!442
| ] – ] – ] – ] - ]
|-
|}<ref></ref>
The majority of the bus services above are operated under contract to ] and other local authorities, however a number of services such as the 61 between Glossop and Buxton are operated commercially. Until September 2007 the company operated an hourly service between ] and ], ] as service 62/62A, however this service was withdrawn to run only as far as Marple due to falling revenues.


Although the trading name has ceased to be used, services are still operated using Bowers Coaches operating licence.<ref> Traffic Commissioner of North West England 22 November 2013</ref>
==Coach operations==
The company began life known as Bowers Coaches and used this name up until some time after the Centrebus takeover, this is because the original company set up in 1952 was a coach company, and afterwards it expanded into bus routes, particularly after bus de-regulation in 1986. Throughout its history as a coach company it provided excursions from places around the ] and it provided coaches for schools and other uses. However the decision was taken by Centrebus that coaches were no longer viable and did not fit into the scope of the Centrebus Group so they ought to be disbanded and this occurred, so afterwards the decision was taken to drop the 'coaches' from the company name, as this could be misleading.


==External links== ==Routes==
As at March 2012, Bowers Coaches operated 19 routes:<ref> Bowers March 2012</ref>
{{commons cat|Bowers Coaches}}
*19: ] to ]
*
*27: Macclesfield to ] via ]
*
*42: ] to ]
*
*58: Buxton to Macclesfield
*
*60: Buxton to ]
*61: Buxton to ] via ] and ]
*62: ] to Hayfield via New Mills
*64: Macclesfield to Glossop via New Mills and Hayfield
*69: Hayfield to ] via New Mills
*69A: Glossop to Chapel-en-le-Frith via Hayfield
*76: Buxton Town Service
*189: Buxton to ] via ], Chapel-en-le-Frith and ]
*190: Buxton to Whaley Bridge via ], Chapel-en-le-Frithand Chinley
*300: ] Town Circular
*389: New Mills Town Service
*393: Padfield to ] Park via Glossop
*394: Glossop to ] via Marple
*411: ] to ]
*442: Ashbourne to Buxton via ], ] and ]


The majority were operated under contract to ] and other local authorities; however, a number of services such as route 61 between Glossop and Buxton were operated commercially. Until September 2007, the company operated an hourly service between ] and ], ] as route 62/62A; however, this service was withdrawn to run only as far as Marple due to falling revenues.
====Local Transport Authorities Websites====

*
==Fleet==
*
As at August 2011, Bowers operated a fleet of 29 buses.<ref> Derby Bus Depot</ref>
*


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
{{centrebus}}
{{commons category-inline}}
{{Bus companies in the East Midlands}}


{{Derbyshire buses|state=collapsed}}
]
{{Centrebus|state=collapsed}}
]
{{Defunct British Bus Companies}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 22:21, 11 February 2022

Bus company based in Derbyshire, UK

Bowers Coaches
Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes 709D in Buxton in May 2005
ParentCentrebus
Founded1952
Ceased operation2012 (merged to form High Peak Buses
HeadquartersChapel-en-le-Frith
LocaleEast Midlands
North West
Service areaCheshire East
Derbyshire
Greater Manchester
Service typeBus operator
Routes19 (March 2012)
Depots1
Fleet29 (August 2011)
Websitewww.bowersbuses.com

Bowers Coaches was a bus company based in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, England. The company operated bus and coach services in Cheshire East, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester from 1952 until 2012. In its later years, it was a subsidiary of Centrebus and in 2012 it was merged with the Dove Holes depot of Trent Barton to form High Peak Buses.

History

Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes 709D in Buxton in August 2009
Optare Solo in Glossop in August 2012

Bowers Coaches was founded in 1952 by Eric Bower as a coach operator. In 1957, the charter operations of Park Hire Garages & Motors were acquired. It later expanded into local bus operation, particularly after the deregulation of local bus services in 1986. Based in the High Peak district of Derbyshire, it operated services centred on the towns of Buxton, Glossop and New Mills extending to some surrounding areas such as the town of Marple in Stockport and Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Dales.

In June 2007, the business was purchased by Centrebus who introduced its corporate orange and blue livery, but retained the Bowers trading name. Bowers ceased trading on 31 March 2012 when Centrebus entered a 50/50 joint venture with Wellglade Group that saw the latter's Trent Barton subsidiary combine its Dove Holes operations with those of Bowers to form High Peak Buses.

Although the trading name has ceased to be used, services are still operated using Bowers Coaches operating licence.

Routes

As at March 2012, Bowers Coaches operated 19 routes:

The majority were operated under contract to Derbyshire County Council and other local authorities; however, a number of services such as route 61 between Glossop and Buxton were operated commercially. Until September 2007, the company operated an hourly service between Hayfield and Stockport, Greater Manchester as route 62/62A; however, this service was withdrawn to run only as far as Marple due to falling revenues.

Fleet

As at August 2011, Bowers operated a fleet of 29 buses.

References

  1. Companies House extract company no 548351 Eric W Bowers Limited
  2. Only Three Coaches May Serve Blackwell Show Commercial Motor 7 November 1958
  3. Coach and Bus Takeovers in the North Commercial Motor 6 September 1957
  4. New High Peak bus company following merger Buxton Advertiser 18 May 2011
  5. Wellglade/Centrebus join up in Buxton Bus & Coach Professional 24 May 2011
  6. New bus operator hits the road Trentbarton
  7. Notices & Proceedings Traffic Commissioner of North West England 22 November 2013
  8. Timetable Information Bowers March 2012
  9. Bowers Coaches Derby Bus Depot

External links

Media related to Bowers Coaches at Wikimedia Commons

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