Johnsons

[111 Roughley]

Johnsons seems to me a very useful sort of company, taking once-tendered routes like the X20 and 150 (which are definitely needed) and turning them into commercial routes. They have just launched their 21/22/23/24/25 service combination which combined gives a half-hour service Stratford to Lower Quinton, unthinkable a few years ago, and so there is now a reasonable service Stratford to Chipping Campden and Broadway, which has been a bit of a hopeless area for buses. Does anyone know to what extent these services are tendered? Possibly to some extent paid for by the developers of Meon Vale? If so this is an excellent way of getting bus services started. There doesn't seem to be much information on Warwickshire tenders on the web?
Johnsons has also won the tender for the 350 Redditch to Worcester service, which looks nothing much, but when you consider that there is no other direct service between the two biggest places in Worcestershire, it may have potential.

[Kevin]

Yeah, I have much respect for Johnsons, they seem to have their head screwed on. Caught their X20 on Sunday and noticed a poster in the window about service changes, apparently some journeys on their 87 from Cov to Balsall Common are extending to Solihul, dont know if that was their change or called for as part of a tender or whatever, but fair play for it. I think we need more little local operators like them

[Justin Tyme]

Agreed - Johnsons is a good firm that has done well to expand in recent years.  I do wonder how profitable the X20 is, as many passengers are pensioners with free passes, but the company's buses complement the coach operation well.

The 21/22 was almost entirely commercial before the 1 September changes.  I believe the improvements (mainly the new 24 and 25) are funded by Section 106 payments made by St Modwen - the initial developer of Meon Vale - as 111 Roughley suspects.  Normally Section 106 payments fund bus services (and/or improvements) for a couple of years or so - so the "crunch" time will come when that period ends.

By then Meon Vale will be rather larger than it is now, so with luck there could be enough passengers to justify permanent improvements.

The new 87 timetable is on Johnsons' website.  1 schoolday journey each way is now extended from/to Solihull.

[JPC]

The new 87 timetable is on Johnsons' website.  1 schoolday journey each way is now extended from/to Solihull.

At the expense of the 0654 from Coventry which is given the axe.
http://www.johnsonscoaches.co.uk/PDFs/87_Bus_Timetable_from_1_Sept_2014_kk.pdf

[trident4370]

Anyone interested,  theres a Countylinks Scania on the 150 today.

[Jaysnerz007]

How long has this been with johnsons as never seen it on the 150 before

[jc]

Johnsons have about 4 Scania OmniCities which tend to stick on the Stratford work, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27 etc as there branded for Warwickshire County Council services.

[Cedric]

Something  going round  Kidderminster  is
Thatt Johnsons are buying a least the
Coach side of whittles  ? Anyone heard  anything 
About this

[moley67]

I heard this too ... anymore updates to this ?

[Cedric]

I heard this too ... anymore updates to this ?

Not heard anymore  myself

[Westy]

Any reason why I wouldve seen 2 Johnsons Coaches on the BC Spine Road around 930am heading Dudley direction?

[JIM H]

Whittles website states that they are now owned and operated by Johnsons

[Tony]

Any reason why I wouldve seen 2 Johnsons Coaches on the BC Spine Road around 930am heading Dudley direction?

Presumably doing what Johnsons do!

They are regularly all over the West Midlands

[Bryan]

Any reason why I wouldve seen 2 Johnsons Coaches on the BC Spine Road around 930am heading Dudley direction?

Presumably doing what Johnsons do!

They are regularly all over the West Midlands

I've even seen them in the deepest darkest corners of Lincolnshire  :)

[Liverpool Street]

Any reason why I wouldve seen 2 Johnsons Coaches on the BC Spine Road around 930am heading Dudley direction?

Presumably doing what Johnsons do!

They are regularly all over the West Midlands

I've even seen them in the deepest darkest corners of Lincolnshire  :)

Johnsons are everywhere. Proper coach company they are. Scotland, Spain, you name it I've seen Johnsons there.