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Sullivan Buses
Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL in 2009
Founded1998
HeadquartersNorth Mymms
Service areaHertfordshire
Surrey
Service typeBus services
Routes30 (April 2024)
Depots2 (3)
Fleet111 (November 2020)
Chief executiveDean Sullivan
Websitewww.sullivanbuses.com

Sullivan Bus & Coach Limited,[1] trading as Sullivan Buses, is a bus company based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, England. Founded in 1998, it operates local bus services in and around Hertfordshire including school services, rail replacement bus services near London, bus links in Surrey to and from Thorpe Park and vehicle hire for television programmes.

History

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AEC Routemaster on a London Underground replacement service at Baker Street station in May 2011

Sullivan Buses was founded in 1998 by former London Underground manager Dean Sullivan.[2][3]

Sullivan Buses operates public and school bus routes predominantly in Hertfordshire and previously operated routes in North London. Rail replacement work, particularly on the London Underground, is also operated. In 2004, this work contributed to two-thirds of the company's turnover of £3 million.[2] Sullivan Buses vehicles frequently appear in film and television broadcasts and advertisements, partially because of the company location's proximity to the Elstree Studios. By August 2007, 20 different buses had been used in over 30 productions.[4][5]

In January 2005, Sullivan Buses purchased Southlands Travel, located at Pollhill in Kent, but this operation ceased in February 2007, with some of the routes passing to Griffin Bus, who operated initially from Pollhill before moving to Longfield. In May 2011 Griffin Bus ceased operations and their routes were transferred over to other operators.[citation needed]

Due to increased traffic congestion, Hertfordshire County Council-controlled route B3 was revised with additional running time and made significant changes to timings to meet train arrivals and departures from July 2012.[6] Starting from September 2012, Sullivan Buses won TfL tenders for school routes 628, 653, 683 and 688 from Arriva London. This came after the company also won the tender for route 298.[7]

Sullivan Buses won the TfL tender on route W9 and retained route 298 in 2016, both acquiring brand-new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC buses as a result.[8]

From 1 September 2018, Sullivan Buses axed a section of commercial route 398 between Watford and Borehamwood. To minimise inconvenience, route 306 improved its evening frequencies to every 15 minutes.[9]

In May 2021, it was announced Sullivan Buses would take over the TfL tender for route 549 from 12 March 2022.[10]

In February 2022, Sullivan Buses announced the takeover of route 84 between Potters Bar and St Albans, following Metroline's decision to withdraw from the route. The effects took place on 2 April 2022.[11][12]

In August 2024, Sullivan Buses announced that they would be ceasing operation of their 12 London routes, citing financial issues and penalties imposed by TfL as reasons.[13] South Mimms depot will also be closed with all non-TfL routes being transferred.[citation needed]

Depots

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South Mimms (SM)

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This garage closed in August 2024 due to the cessation of Sullivan Buses' operations in London.[13]

North Mymms

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Sullivan Buses operate a maintenance facility based at North Mymms providing services to all of Sullivan's fleet.[14]

As of August 2024, it operates 17 routes either operated under contract to Hertfordshire County Council or commercially.[14]

Staines - Thorpe Park

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Sullivan operate a small garage based in Thorpe Park / Staines to maintain their Thorpe Park fleet.[14]

Fleet

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The fleet initially was built up with ex Transport for London Leyland Olympians, Leyland Titans, MCW Metrobuses and Volvo Olympians. As at November 2020, the fleet consisted of 111 buses, including an AEC Routemaster heritage vehicle and a driver training vehicle.[15] The fleet dedicated to Transport for London operations consisted of 74 buses as at March 2023.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Companies House extract company no 3574547 Sullivan Bus & Coach Limited
  2. ^ a b Competition Commission - Summary of hearing with Sullivan Buses Ltd on 30 September 2004[usurped] Competition Commission
  3. ^ History Sullivan Buses
  4. ^ Brown, Peter (August 2007). "When buses must pass the screen test". Buses (629). Ian Allan Publishing: 30–32.
  5. ^ Film & Television Hire Sullivan Buses
  6. ^ "Changes to B3 bus route defended by Sullivan Buses and Hertfordshire County Council". Borehamwood & Elstree Times. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Sullivan Buses awarded two routes in latest tenders". Alexander Dennis. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Sullivan Buses adds TfL route with eight new ADL Enviro200". Alexander Dennis. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Sullivan Buses axes 398 route between Borehamwood and Watford". Borehamwood & Elstree Times. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  10. ^ "SULLIVAN BUSES - News". 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Latest". Sullivan Buses. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Route 84: Majority of 'lifeline' Potters Bar and St Albans bus route saved after Metroline withdrew service". Hertfordshire Mercury. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Our press release on the matter". Published by the Sullivan Buses team via Twitter/X. Retrieved 2 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. ^ a b c Sullivanbuses.co.uk
  15. ^ Bus Fleet Sullivan Buses
  16. ^ Bus Fleet Audit Transport for London
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Media related to Sullivan Buses at Wikimedia Commons

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