insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 17 - July 2016 | Page 89

DAYSOUT Richardson Travel of Midhurst Richardson Travel Limited was founded in 1976 by school teacher, Roger Richardson, in Sheffield, where he set up a small private hire operation with two coaches. By 1979, he had left teaching and was operating stage services, which he expanded in 1986. By 1991, the fleet and routes were purchased by South Yorkshire Transport as part of their ‘mop up’ of competing independents in the Sheffield area, but the business continued as a small, independent coach company. Roger Richardson moved south to be nearer to his parents with the purchase of Weller’s Coaches of Midhurst in 1989, and the company closed its South Yorkshire operation and rebranded the fleet in a new blue livery. Trading for some time as ‘Academic & Specialist Tours’, the company bought its first new double decker in 2002, and new front-line coaches have been purchased ever since. In 2010, the first of a series of Volvo/Alexander dual-purpose buses was acquired for the low-cost fleet, which were branded and relaunched in 2015, and are proving very popular with youth groups. Sadly, Mr Richardson died in 2011, but the business is now led by his widow, Christine, in a background role, and by Charlotte Adams, who is the operations manager. The company now operate nine term-time school services to Bohunt School, Liphook, and one service to Churcher’s College in Petersfield. They also have a very successful private hire side, which offers good discounts and a small excursion programme. With 18 vehicles including two buses, 11 coaches, and five double deckers, Richardson Travel celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. Richardson Travel The Coach Depot Pitsham Lane Midhurst West Sussex GU29 9RA 01730 813304 / 812867 www.richardson-travel.co.uk Looking for reliable and safe transport? Richardson Travel Ltd, The Coach Depot Pitsham Lane, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9RA [email protected] 01730 813304 / 812867 www.richardson-travel.co.uk 89