fgwrich
Established Member
Interesting. Does this mean Xelabus could be on the way out? The X4 always seemed to be their most profitable route to me, although they do still run the X21 to Chilworth Science Park and Southampton tendered routes X11 and X12.
Nope, just simply choosing to refocus their work on the more lucrative Private hire and Coaching market with some schools and colleges remaining. They aren't the first bus turned coaching company to drop regular commercial or tendered bus work and certainly won't be the last - an understandable move in the current bus climate. Another local operation chose to do similar a few years ago (Mortons Tad-Red service from Tadley to Reading) but chose to stay in Coaching & Schools work, prior to the sale to National Express. It also shows local co-operation too, in that they have been working with Bluestar to transfer the service, then doing a First and binning it and closing the business before a Bluestar "takeover".The Xelabus website states:
Xelabus
Xelabus is here to keep you on the move! Whether you are commuting to work, going shopping or just getting out and about...xelabus.info
In other Xelabus news, they have since been contracted to operate the Southsea PR3 Park and Ride service for Portsmouth City Council - and have been using the E400 MMCs on that.