Whittles is a coach tour operator based in Kidderminster, England.
History Whittles was founded in 1926 in Highley, taking miners to and from villages to the coal pits, and hauling coal in between shift changes.A little bit of history Whittles The founder was J. T. Whittle, and he ran the business of J. T. Whittle & Son with members of his family. Later, three of them – J. T., F. W. and G. E. Whittle – formed a partnership to own the business. The partners became G. E., R. A. and D. L. Whittle in 1964. G. E. - George - Whittle died in 1970.
In January 1975, G. E. Whittle's daughter and an heir to his fortune, 17 year old Lesley Whittle was kidnapped and killed by murderer and armed robber Donald Neilson, dubbed "The Black Panther " by the British Press.
In October 1980, it commenced operating express services from Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to London under the Goldhawk brand.Whittling Commercial Motor 20 September 1980Go Whittle Goldhawk Commercial Motor 27 September 1980 In 1981 it began operating these services in an alliance with National Express.Leapfrog to Brum Commercial Motor 11 April 1981 In 1990, Narburgh Coaches of Alveley was purchased with 16 vehicles, taking the fleet to 53.Go Whittle goes for Narburgh fleet Commercial Motor 8 November 1990
In January 2004, the business was purchased by East Yorkshire Motor Services with 49 vehicles.EYMS to buy Whittle Bus & Coach Professional 9 January 2004 In December 2014, the coach business was sold to Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel with nine coaches.Johnsons to acquire Whittle's coach operationBus & Coach Buyer 18 December 2014Johnsons New Owners of Whittles Johnsons Coach & Bus TravelHenley's Johnsons to buy Whittles Route One 18 December 2014
The contracted National Express services were taken over by National Express, while the local bus services ceased on 5 January 2015.Whittle Coach & Bus Future Whittle Coach & Bus 16 December 2014Johnsons acquires Whittle from EYMS Group Transport News Brief 18 December 2014Peter Shipp Bus & Coach Buyer 9 March 2015
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