Diamond East Midlands, formerly Midland Classic, is a bus company from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England. Since August 2022, the company is a subsidiary of Rotala.
.jpg) A Diamond East Midlands Optare Versa in Loughborough in July 2022 | |
| Parent | Rotala |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 2005 as Midland Classic August 2022 as Diamond East Midlands |
| Headquarters | Tividale |
| Service area | East Staffordshire South Derbyshire North West Leicestershire |
| Service type | Bus services |
| Depots | Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent |
| Fleet | 60 |
| Website | diamondbuses.com |
History
editMidland Classic
edit
Midland Classic was founded in July 2005 by James Boddice and John Mason with a pair of London Central AEC Routemasters operating charter services. Boddice had a 69% shareholding with D&G Bus proprietor David Reeves, and Julian Peddle each having 13% and John Mitchelson 5%. It later diversified into operating route services.
In April 2016, Midland Classic entered talks with Arriva Midlands to purchase its Stanton Road, Burton upon Trent garage and fleet.[1][2] The deal took effect on 27 August 2016 with 30 buses and 80 staff transferring.[3] All routes later transferred to the Wetmore Road garage, with the Stanton Road garage closing.[4]
During the 2021 Go North West strike, Midland Classic was one of a number of bus operators who provided vehicles and drivers to operate services on behalf of Go North West along with Edwards Coaches and Selwyns Travel.[5]
In June 2022, Midland Classic underwent a fares revision which included a joint day-ticket with Select Bus Services and Chaserider.[6][7]
On 1 August 2022, Midland Classic took over routes 125 and 129, expanding its reach of services out to Leicester, Coalville and Loughborough.[8]
Diamond East Midlands
editRotala Group acquired Midland Classic on 3 August 2022, for £2 million. The business was rebranded to Diamond East Midlands, with buses from other Diamond operations being transferred into the fleet and a repaint programme for pre-existing Midland Classic vehicles beginning.[9] The services and fleet also become directly controlled from the group's headquarters in Tividale in November 2022.[10][11][12]
In October 2022, Diamond East Midlands began running contract services for Derbyshire County Council, further extending their reach of services out towards Derby and the surrounding areas.[13]
In June 2023, Rotala reversed the decision to create a multi-operator day ticket with Select Bus Services and Chaserider as part of the Diamond East Midlands Rebranding.[14] Following this in January 2024, they also withdrew from accepting Staffordshire Knot tickets on the majority of routes, citing its "impact on commercial viability".[15]
Services
editDiamond East Midlands are the main provider of services around Burton upon Trent with services extending to Swadlincote, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Uttoxeter, Lichfield, Melbourne, East Midlands Airport, Derby, and other surrounding towns and villages.
Services are also operated on behalf of Leicestershire County Council between Ashby & Loughborough (129) and Leicester & Castle Donington via Coalville (125).[8] Services are also operated on behalf of Derbyshire County Council in Derby and the local surrounding areas.
References
edit- ^ Arriva in talks to sell Burton bus services to Midland Classic[permanent dead link] Burton Mail 26 April 2016
- ^ Arriva plans sale of Burton operation to Midland Classic Route One 27 April 2016
- ^ "Arriva transfers Burton operation to Midland Classic" Coach & Bus Week issue 1255 30 August 2016 page 6
- ^ Buses Yearbook 2021. Key Publishing. 2020. pp. 93–99. ISBN 978-1-913295-53-0.
- ^ "#NoGo: solidarity with the Go NW bus strike". Manchester Trades Union Council. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Select Bus Services - Tickets available from myTrip". mytrip.today. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ "Network Zone - Midland Classic - Tickets available from myTrip". mytrip.today. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Supported bus services timetables > Choose How You Move".
- ^ Bunn, George; Mack, Tom (22 August 2022). "Midland Classic red and yellow buses to turn blue after transport firm takeover". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ "Midland Classic bought by Rotala as group grows reach". routeone. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Peat, Chris (3 August 2022). "Rotala acquires Midland Classic". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Hodgkiss, Samuel (4 August 2022). "Burton bus firm Midland Classic is sold". Staffordshire Live. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "New Derby Routes From 3 October 2022 | Midland Classic". 26 September 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "EM Chaserider Ticket Changes | Diamond Bus". www.diamondbuses.com. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "Staffordshire Knot Withdrawal | Diamond Bus". www.diamondbuses.com. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
External links
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Media related to Midland Classic at Wikimedia Commons