Widely regarded operator Jim Stones to retire

摘要

One of the best-regarded independent local bus operators in the country, Leigh, Greater Manchester-based Jim Stones Coaches, will close on 18 April unless a new owner buys the 52-year-old business. Poor health has prompted proprietors Joan and Jim Stones to seek a buyer for the company, which has been operating local services since deregulation in 1986 and currently provides three commercial and eight Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) tendered services in Leigh and Wigan. It has regularly renewed its fleet, mostly bought new, and until recently most were identified by Select registrations such as BUS 51T ('bus if), BU52 LEE ('bus to Leigh'), Ml BUS ('my bus') and H1 JYM ('hi Jim'). It has standardised on the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 since buying the first example built in 2006.