Bugler Coaches

Bugler Coaches[1] is a bus and coach operator based in Keynsham, Somerset, England.

Bugler Coaches
Irisbus LoGo in Bristol in May 2018
Founded1947
HeadquartersKeynsham
Websitewww.buglercoaches.co.uk

History

Bulger Coaches was founded in the 1930s by Herbert Bugler as a general carrier trading as HG Bugler before World War II, but was suspended when Bugler, was recalled to the Royal Navy. The company was formally registered in 1947, operating from the family home in Bedminster, but moved to Brislington in 1953. In 1956 Bugler attended an auction intending to buy another lorry, but instead bought a 27-seat coach, resulting in the business expanding into coach hire. The company abandoned the removals side of the business in 1980.[2]

Following the death of Bugler's wife, Frances in 1984, the business passed to their son, Robert, who had previously worked as a vehicle bodybuilder at Longwell Green Coachworks. With the introduction of bus deregulation in 1986, the company started to tender for local bus services.[2]

In 2007 the business was sold to Bath company Computer Village Group, and a new depot opened in Keynsham.[2] A successful excursion program was developed, which the new owners saw as the way ahead through the difficult financial climate, and the company now runs coach day trips to various destinations around England.[2]

Bus services

Bugler Coaches formerly operated Bristol bus services 532 and 533, which were later taken over by Wessex Connect. The company also ran service 500, the Harbour Link, but this was withdrawn by Bristol City Council in 2011 due to funding cuts. The company continues to operate service 12 between Bath and Whiteway.[3]

In September 2013 it commenced operating route 18B from Bath Spa railway station to the University of Bath.[4]

The company now also operate service 672 from Blagdon to Bristol via the Chew Valley.[5]

Incidents

In 2006, a coach operated by Bugler Coaches became stuck in a narrow country lane in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, after a satellite navigation system had identified it as a suitable route, resulting in the coach having to be driven across three recently harvested fields.[6]

A driver of a coach operated by Bugler Coaches was jailed for 17 months in February 2012 for dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm following an incident in Bristol in April 2011 in which he used his vehicle as a weapon to deliberately knock down a cyclist. He was dismissed following the incident.[7]

References
  1. Companies House extract company no 4907826 Bulger Coaches Limited
  2. "About Us". Bugler Coaches. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  3. "Bus Service 12: Whiteway to Bath City Centre". Bugler Coaches. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  4. Latest News & Service Changes Archived 19 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Bath & North East Somerset Council
  5. http://www.buglercoaches.co.uk/bus-service-672
  6. Savill, Richard (26 August 2006). "Pensioners in Sat-nav Mystery Tour". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  7. "Bristol Bus Driver Gavin Hill who Drove into Cyclist Jailed". Bristol: BBC News. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
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