Padarn Bus
Encyclopedia
Padarn Bus is a bus company based in Llanberis
, Gwynedd
, Wales
. It operates a fleet of around 40 buses on 18 routes in North Wales. Many of its vehicles and routes were acquired when it merged with larger company KMP.
lake. Padarn began operating a tendered route in Bangor
in 1989 as part of the Bws Gwynedd scheme. It won work on Anglesey
a year later and launched two competing routes in Bangor with new Dennis Dart
s in 1991. However, in 1995 the loss of contracted work prompted the company to give up local service work, although some school contracts continued.
In 2003 the company returned to local bus operation by winning Conwy Council
contracted route 75 (Llandudno
- Llanfairfechan
), but was forced to give this up in January 2006 due to rising costs. However, in October 2005 it launched its first commercial route, an hourly service 77 linking Bangor and Bethesda, and quickly followed this with a similar hourly route 76. This was reported to be at the request of local councillers unhappy with the parallel service provided by Arriva Buses Wales
.
Later in 2006 passengers in the Maesgeirchen
area of Bangor asked Padarn to provide a service as an alternative to Arriva's route. A half-hourly service numbered 71 was introduced and is still operated. Padarn now also runs route 79 from Maesgeirchen to Parc Menai, which replaces the old 79 Service which was previously operated by Arriva
to Caernarfon
.
The remainder of KMP was sold to Padarn in April 2009 in what was technically a merger to create a new limited company, Padarn Bus Ltd. It had been intended that the deal should occur several months earlier, but it had been delayed owing to a lack of funding due to the credit crunch
. As part of the deal KMP's former Office Manager David Hulme became a director of Padarn.
The acquisition took the combined fleet size to 36 vehicles operating a total of 18 routes and safeguarded 50 jobs. Shortly after the sale was announced a local community council reported that buses were operating at the wrong times on one route (S4). This however turned out to be an error by the county council in not updating bus stop displays.
Padarn Bus continues to grow and has recently introduced a local service in Bangor providing a service to the large Tesco Extra store.
s (with bodies from three builders), two Mercedes-Benz Vario
s (bearing Derry City Registrations), two Mercedes-Benz 811D
s, an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart, two Optare Solo
s, an Optare Versa
, three Wright StreetLite
s and two Volvo B6BLEs. The coach fleet consists of four Volvo B10M
s, a Neoplan Cityliner and a Mercedes-Benz Vario
(also bearing a Derry City Registration).
Double deck vehicles in the fleet include two Leyland Olympian
s, three Volvo Olympian
s with Alexander bodies, three MCW Metrobus
es and a Northern Counties Palatine
. An elderly open-top Leyland Atlantean
(new to Plymouth Citybus
) is used on routes S1 and S2 around Llanberis in the summer.
Padarn had bought additional vehicles at a rate of one a year between 2006 and 2008. In late April 2009 the newly enlarged company bought its first new vehicle, an Optare Versa single-decker used on route 77. Three integral Wright StreetLite midibuses entered service in late 2010 for use on contracted routes on Anglesey
; these were the first of the type to be delivered to a company other than Bus Vannin
. These were withdrawn and returned to a dealer in May 2011 due to reliability issues. They were replaced by three new Alexander Dennis Enviro200s.
Llanberis
Llanberis is a village in Gwynedd, North Wales, lying on the southern banks of Llyn Padarn in Snowdonia. It takes its name from Saint Peris, an early Welsh saint.According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the population of Llanberis was 1,954...
, Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It operates a fleet of around 40 buses on 18 routes in North Wales. Many of its vehicles and routes were acquired when it merged with larger company KMP.
History
The company was founded as a taxi firm in 1979 by Dafydd and Darren Price, moving into coach hire in 1984. The name is derived from the nearby Llyn PadarnLlyn Padarn
Llyn Padarn is a glacially formed lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd, north Wales, and is an example of a moraine dammed lake. The lake is approximately long and at its deepest point is deep. At its south-eastern end it is linked to the neighbouring Llyn Peris...
lake. Padarn began operating a tendered route in Bangor
Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
in 1989 as part of the Bws Gwynedd scheme. It won work on Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
a year later and launched two competing routes in Bangor with new Dennis Dart
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
s in 1991. However, in 1995 the loss of contracted work prompted the company to give up local service work, although some school contracts continued.
In 2003 the company returned to local bus operation by winning Conwy Council
Conwy County Borough Council
Conwy County Borough Council is the governing body for Conwy County Borough, one of the unitary authority areas of Wales.-Political makeup:Elections take place every four years...
contracted route 75 (Llandudno
Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
- Llanfairfechan
Llanfairfechan
Llanfairfechan is a town and community in the Conwy County Borough, Wales. It lies on the coast of north Wales on the route of the A55 road, between Penmaenmawr and Bangor. It previously was in Gwynedd and prior to that was in Caernarfonshire. For ceremonial and electoral boundary purposes it was...
), but was forced to give this up in January 2006 due to rising costs. However, in October 2005 it launched its first commercial route, an hourly service 77 linking Bangor and Bethesda, and quickly followed this with a similar hourly route 76. This was reported to be at the request of local councillers unhappy with the parallel service provided by Arriva Buses Wales
Arriva Buses Wales
Arriva Buses Wales is a division of Arriva that operates bus services in north Wales. It has its origins in the former Crosville Motor Services. Arriva Buses Wales has approximately 700 employees. The company's official name is Arriva Cymru Ltd.-History:...
.
Later in 2006 passengers in the Maesgeirchen
Maesgeirchen
Maesgeirchen is a large housing estate on the edge of the city of Bangor in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, with roughly 4,000 inhabitants.It was originally constructed in the late 1930s, with more homes being added after World War II and in recent years...
area of Bangor asked Padarn to provide a service as an alternative to Arriva's route. A half-hourly service numbered 71 was introduced and is still operated. Padarn now also runs route 79 from Maesgeirchen to Parc Menai, which replaces the old 79 Service which was previously operated by Arriva
Merger with KMP
In 2007 Ken Williams, the manager of 34-vehicle independent KMP of Llanberis, announced that he wished to sell the business. Padarn were interested in buying KMP as Darren Price had previously worked at the company, but were unable to meet the cost required to buy the whole of KMP. However, in August 2008 Arriva bought part of KMP, including seven vehicles and the then service number 10 route from BangorBangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
to Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
.
The remainder of KMP was sold to Padarn in April 2009 in what was technically a merger to create a new limited company, Padarn Bus Ltd. It had been intended that the deal should occur several months earlier, but it had been delayed owing to a lack of funding due to the credit crunch
Credit crunch
A credit crunch is a reduction in the general availability of loans or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. A credit crunch generally involves a reduction in the availability of credit independent of a rise in official interest rates...
. As part of the deal KMP's former Office Manager David Hulme became a director of Padarn.
The acquisition took the combined fleet size to 36 vehicles operating a total of 18 routes and safeguarded 50 jobs. Shortly after the sale was announced a local community council reported that buses were operating at the wrong times on one route (S4). This however turned out to be an error by the county council in not updating bus stop displays.
Padarn Bus continues to grow and has recently introduced a local service in Bangor providing a service to the large Tesco Extra store.
Routes
- 6/6A: Tesco/Parc Menai/Ysbyty Gwynedd -BangorBangor, GwyneddBangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
- GlasinfrynGlasinfrynGlasinfryn is a small village in Gwynedd, Wales, effectively between the village of Tregarth and the city of Bangor, Gwynedd. The village is residential in nature but with many outlying farms....
- Mynydd LlandegaiMynydd LlandegaiMynydd Llandygai is a small, partly forested hill in Gwynedd, North Wales. It forms the start of the Glyderau ridge....
- Bethesda - 10: Bangor - Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital - Felinheli - CaernarfonCaernarfonCaernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
- 53/56/57/58: Bangor - Beaumaris/LlanddonaLlanddonaLlanddona is a village famous for its beach in Ynys Môn , North Wales.Located between Benllech and Beaumaris, it is popular as a holiday destination on Anglesey, particularly for families...
/Penmon - 71: Bangor - MaesgeirchenMaesgeirchenMaesgeirchen is a large housing estate on the edge of the city of Bangor in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, with roughly 4,000 inhabitants.It was originally constructed in the late 1930s, with more homes being added after World War II and in recent years...
- 72: Bangor - Felinheli - Wern - BethelBethel, GwyneddBethel is a village in Gwynedd, Wales. It lies east of Caernarfon on the B4366 road. Bethel Primary School is located in the village. The population of the village is roughly around 1,000 people.- Ysgol Gynradd Bethel :...
- Greenwood Forest Park - 72A: Bangor - Morrisons - Pier - Bangor
- 73: Bangor - CaerhunCaerhunCaerhun is a village and rural community on the west bank of the River Conwy, to the south of Henryd and to the north of Dolgarrog, in Conwy County Borough, north Wales. The population was 1200 at the 2001 Census.-Features:...
- Pentir/Glasinfryn - 75: MaesgeirchenMaesgeirchenMaesgeirchen is a large housing estate on the edge of the city of Bangor in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, with roughly 4,000 inhabitants.It was originally constructed in the late 1930s, with more homes being added after World War II and in recent years...
- BangorBangor, GwyneddBangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
- MorrisonsMorrisonsWm Morrison Supermarkets plc is the fourth largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom, headquartered in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The company is usually referred to and is branded as Morrisons formerly Morrison's, and it is part of the FTSE 100 Index of companies...
- Coed Mawr - TescoTescoTesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
- Parc Menai - 76: Ysbyty Gwynedd - Bangor - Llanllechid - RachubRachubRachub is a small village of about 700 people in Dyffryn Ogwen , Gwynedd, Wales, about half a mile away from the nearby, larger village of Bethesda. It forms part of Bethesda community.-Origins:...
- Bethesda - Gerlan - 77: Tesco/Parc Menai - Bangor - TregarthTregarthTregarth is a village near Thomas Telford's A5 London to Holyhead road between the village of Bethesda and the city of Bangor in Gwynedd, North Wales.- History :...
- Bethesda - 79: MaesgeirchenMaesgeirchenMaesgeirchen is a large housing estate on the edge of the city of Bangor in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, with roughly 4,000 inhabitants.It was originally constructed in the late 1930s, with more homes being added after World War II and in recent years...
- BangorBangor, GwyneddBangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
- Coed Mawr - TescoTescoTesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
- Parc Menai - 83: Caernarfon - Bethel - LlanrugLlanrugLlanrug is a large village in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It lies about 4 miles to the east of Caernarfon, 7 miles south of Bangor and 3 miles to the west of Llanberis. It is the largest populated village in the Arfon area of Gwynedd, Wales. The old name term of the village was initially...
- Penisa'r WaunPenisa'r WaunPenisa'r Waun , is a small village and is roughly equidistant between Bangor and Caernarfon on the A4547 in Gwynedd, north-west Wales .- External links :*...
- DeiniolenDeiniolenDeiniolen is a village in Gwynedd, Wales, at the foot of Elidir Fawr. Deiniolen has views over Caernarfon covering the, and, on a clear day, Holyhead Mountain and occasionally the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, can be seen...
- DinorwigDinorwigDinorwig is a small village located high above Llyn Padarn, near Llanberis, in Wales.It is thought that it was part of the territory of the Ordovices tribe, and that 'Dinorwig' means "Fort of the Ordovices".The village has a long history of slate quarrying... - 85: Bangor - Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital - Rhiwlas - Deiniolen - LlanberisLlanberisLlanberis is a village in Gwynedd, North Wales, lying on the southern banks of Llyn Padarn in Snowdonia. It takes its name from Saint Peris, an early Welsh saint.According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the population of Llanberis was 1,954...
(Operated with Arriva Buses WalesArriva Buses WalesArriva Buses Wales is a division of Arriva that operates bus services in north Wales. It has its origins in the former Crosville Motor Services. Arriva Buses Wales has approximately 700 employees. The company's official name is Arriva Cymru Ltd.-History:...
) - 86: Bangor - Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital - Greenwood Forest Park - Bethel - Llanrug - Llanberis
- 87: Caernarfon - WaunfawrWaunfawrWaunfawr is a large village on the outskirts of the Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd, in North Wales, south of Llanrug. Its population is roughly 1,500...
- Llanrug - Llanberis - 88: Caernarfon - Llanrug - Cwm y Glo - Brynrefail - Llanberis (Operated with Arriva Buses WalesArriva Buses WalesArriva Buses Wales is a division of Arriva that operates bus services in north Wales. It has its origins in the former Crosville Motor Services. Arriva Buses Wales has approximately 700 employees. The company's official name is Arriva Cymru Ltd.-History:...
) - 89: Caernarfon - Llanrug - Llanberis
- 92: Caernarfon - Maes Barcer (Operated with Express MotorsExpress MotorsExpress Motors is a bus and coach hire company based in Penygroes, Gwynedd. The company operates numerous public bus services in the Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Bangor and Llandudno areas, as well as the long-distance TrawsCambria service X32 between Bangor and Aberystwyth, though...
and Arriva Buses WalesArriva Buses WalesArriva Buses Wales is a division of Arriva that operates bus services in north Wales. It has its origins in the former Crosville Motor Services. Arriva Buses Wales has approximately 700 employees. The company's official name is Arriva Cymru Ltd.-History:...
) - S1: Llanberis - Nant Peris - Pen-y-PassPen-y-PassPen-y-Pass is a mountain pass in Snowdonia, Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It is a popular location from which to walk up Snowdon, as three of the popular routes can be started here...
- S2: Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass - Betws-y-CoedBetws-y-CoedBetws-y-Coed is a village and community in the Conwy valley in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It has a population of 534. The name Betws or Bettws is generally thought to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon Old English 'bed-hus' - i.e. a bead-house - a house of prayer, or oratory...
- LlanrwstLlanrwstLlanrwst is a small town and community on the A470 road and the River Conwy in Conwy County Borough, Wales. It takes its name from the 5th century to 6th century Saint Grwst, and the original parish church in Cae Llan was replaced by the 12th-century church.... - S4: Caernarfon - Waunfawr - Snowdon Ranger - BeddgelertBeddgelertBeddgelert, or in older English spelling often Bedgellert, is a village and community in the Snowdonia area of Gwynedd, Wales. It is reputed to be named after the legendary hound Gelert. Population 617.- History:...
- Pen-y-Pass - S6: Bethesda - Betws-y-Coed
- X2: Llanberis - Bangor - LlandudnoLlandudnoLlandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
(Saturdays only) (Currently Suspended) - X6: Bangor/Llandudno - Betws-y-Coed - LlangollenLlangollenLlangollen is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, situated on the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. It has a population of 3,412.-History:...
(Saturdays only)
Fleet
The fleet consists of 40 vehicles, 26 of which came from KMP and ten from the original Padarn fleet. The bus fleet operating regular services consists of fourteen Dennis DartDennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
s (with bodies from three builders), two Mercedes-Benz Vario
Mercedes-Benz Vario
The Mercedes-Benz Vario is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. Originally launched as the T2 in 1986, the Vario gained its current name when it was facelifted in 1996. The T2 van itself succeeded the Mercedes-Benz L van series.The bodyshell remained relatively unchanged since production...
s (bearing Derry City Registrations), two Mercedes-Benz 811D
Mercedes-Benz T2
The Mercedes-Benz T2 is a transporter built by Daimler-Benz. The T2 is also known as the "Düsseldorf transporter", since it was built until 1996 in Düsseldorf. The third series, built from 1996 at Ludwigsfelde, is branded the Vario. Some units of the T2 are assembled by Daimler-Benz Espana S.A. in...
s, an Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart, two Optare Solo
Optare Solo
The Optare Solo is a low-floor midibus manufactured by Optare in Leeds, UK since 1997. The name "Solo" is a play on the low-floor status of the bus, the manufacturer believing its vehicle having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm with kneeling suspension.The innovative...
s, an Optare Versa
Optare Versa
The Optare Versa is a midibus built by Optare in its Leeds factory. It was officially launched in Britain at the Euro Bus Expo 2006 at the NEC, Birmingham, on 7 November 2006, with the first order of 25 buses being placed by Stagecoach on the same day....
, three Wright StreetLite
Wright StreetLite
The Wright StreetLite is a low-floor midibus introduced by Wrightbus of Ballymena, Northern Ireland during the summer of 2010.-Versions:The StreetLite is available in two differing body styles. The door forward version has the door placed before the front axle of the vehicle...
s and two Volvo B6BLEs. The coach fleet consists of four Volvo B10M
Volvo B10M
The Volvo B10M is a popular mid-engined bus and coach chassis built by Volvo between 1978 and 2001. It was built as the successor of the B58 and was equipped with a 9.6-litre horizontally-mounted Volvo THD100/THD101/THD102/THD103/THD104/DH10A diesel engine mounted under the floor, near the middle...
s, a Neoplan Cityliner and a Mercedes-Benz Vario
Mercedes-Benz Vario
The Mercedes-Benz Vario is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. Originally launched as the T2 in 1986, the Vario gained its current name when it was facelifted in 1996. The T2 van itself succeeded the Mercedes-Benz L van series.The bodyshell remained relatively unchanged since production...
(also bearing a Derry City Registration).
Double deck vehicles in the fleet include two Leyland Olympian
Leyland Olympian
The Leyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. It was the last Leyland bus model in production before the demise of Leyland Bus.-Construction:...
s, three Volvo Olympian
Volvo Olympian
The Volvo Olympian was a rear-engine double decker bus built by Volvo at Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It was first built in 1992 and entered production in March 1993, replacing the Leyland Olympian....
s with Alexander bodies, three MCW Metrobus
MCW Metrobus
The MCW Metrobus is a double decker bus model manufactured by MCW from 1977 until 1989, with over 4,000 examples built. The original MkI model was superseded by the MkII model in 1981/1982, although production of the original MkI continued for London Transport until 1985...
es and a Northern Counties Palatine
Northern Counties Palatine
The Northern Counties Palatine is a step-entrance double-decker bus body built by Northern Counties of Wigan, UK. It was built mainly on Leyland Olympian and Volvo Olympian chassis, although some were also built on DAF, Volvo B10M Citybus and Scania chassis...
. An elderly open-top Leyland Atlantean
Leyland Atlantean
The Leyland Atlantean is a model of double-decker bus built by Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1986....
(new to Plymouth Citybus
Plymouth Citybus
Plymouth Citybus is one of the principal bus operators serving the City of Plymouth, England, and the surrounding area. Plymouth Citybus's route network serves almost exclusively the boroughs and inner-city areas of Plymouth, with the majority of rural services handled by First Devon and...
) is used on routes S1 and S2 around Llanberis in the summer.
Padarn had bought additional vehicles at a rate of one a year between 2006 and 2008. In late April 2009 the newly enlarged company bought its first new vehicle, an Optare Versa single-decker used on route 77. Three integral Wright StreetLite midibuses entered service in late 2010 for use on contracted routes on Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
; these were the first of the type to be delivered to a company other than Bus Vannin
Bus Vannin
Bus Vannin is the title of the government owned and operated bus service on the Isle of Man. The name was adopted in June 2009 having previously been branded as Isle of Man Transport...
. These were withdrawn and returned to a dealer in May 2011 due to reliability issues. They were replaced by three new Alexander Dennis Enviro200s.