Chalkwell Coaches

Chalkwell Coaches[1] is a bus and coach tour operator in Sittingbourne, Kent.

Chalkwell Coaches
Optare Solo at the M&D rally in March 2012
ParentClive Eglington
Founded1931
HeadquartersSittingbourne
Service typeBus & coach operator
Fleet76 (May 2014)
Websitewww.chalkwell.co.uk

History
Irizar PB bodied Scania K340EB at the M&D rally in March 2012

Chalkwell Coaches was founded in 1931 by Harry Eglington as Island Luxury Coaches.[2] In April 1931 a short lived Sheerness to Stoke Newington service began. During World War II all seven coaches were requisitioned. In 1969, the business was taken over by Eglington's son Clyde.[3]

In 1987, Chalkwell commenced its first local bus service from Doddington to Faversham. In 1990, it commenced operating services under contract to Kent County Council. In 1992, Chalkwell commenced operating Maidstone & District Motor Services day tour program.[3]

In 1993, Downsway Coaches of Canterbury was acquired.[3] In July 1993, it commenced operating commuter services from Sittingbourne to Central London.[4]

Services

Chalkwell Coaches operated route 780, 781, 782 and 784 from Bearsted and Kings Hill to the Tate Britain in London.[5][6][7][8] It also operates bus services radiating from Sittingbourne.[9][10] In May 2017 the Kent commuter services ceased.[11]

Fleet

As at May 2014, the fleet comprised 76 vehicles.[3]

References
  1. Companies House extract company no 2520842 Chalkwell Garage & Coach Hire Limited
  2. Our History Chalkwell Coaches
  3. "Fleet in Focus: Chalkwell Garage & Coach Hire" Buses issue 710 May 2014 page 81
  4. Chalkwell celebrates 20 years Bus & Coach Buyer 18 July 2013
  5. Routes 891-782, 784 timetable Transport for London
  6. Chalkwell of Sittingbourne Archived 4 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine King Hill Services 15 June 2013
  7. Chalkwell says London coach commute is competitive Archived 31 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine Transport News Brief 6 January 2014
  8. Chalkwell commuters incentivised to switch Archived 1 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 18 September 2015
  9. Network Map from 3 May 2016 Archived 1 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine Chalkwell Coaches
  10. Chalkwell invests in deckers Bus & Coach Buyer 20 April 2016
  11. Chalkwell exits the Kent-London commuter market Route One 4 May 2017
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.