Wilfreda Beehive

Wilfreda Beehive is a small coach and bus operator based in Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster.

It was formed in 1949 by Bill and Marie Scholey, and remains in family ownership. At first it operated coach services from a depot at Ranskill, near Bawtry. Between 1993 and 1998 it operated many bus services, but sold them and its service buses to Mainline Group just before the latter was absorbed by First Group in 1998.

In 2001 they began operating service buses again. They now operate a mixed fleet ranging from modern high quality coaches to old double-deckers. Many of its routes are school services or SYPTE contracts, a large number of which have been won from other operators in recent years. Other services are contracted to companies, such as Premier Fresh Foods of Scunthorpe. The company benefits in this respect from a fleet of modern contract coaches which are seen as superior to vehicles offered by competitors, including MASS Engineering and First. However, it more recently has restarted operating competitive commercial services, such as the 52. In 2006, the company took over Eagre of Gainsborough which runs many coach tours and holidays. During 2007 it was affected by the flooding north of Doncaster, with the depot being underwater and services being suspended for two days.

Current / Past fleet

* Dennis Dart (sold to First Mainline in 1998)
* Leyland National (withdrawn by 1996)
* Scania N113DRB / East Lancs
* Bristol VR
* Dennis Javelin
* Leyland Olympian
* Scania / Irizar Century
* Optare Solo

ervices operated

* 001: Doncaster - Retford (Nightbus)
* 1: Mexborough - Scunthorpe
* 11: Gainsborough - Scunthorpe
* 23: Adwick le Street - Scunthorpe
* 52: Doncaster - Skellow
* 53: Doncaster - Highfields (via Scawthorpe)
* 58A: Doncaster - Doncaster Dome (via Hyde Park)
* 86: Thorne Circular
* 89: Doncaster - Askern
* 190: Doncaster - Wroot (via Armthorpe)
* 200: Bessacarr - Gainsborough (via Tickhill and Bawtry)
* 203: Doncaster - Mexborough (via Clayton)
* 222: Wheatley - Adwick le Street
* 230: Moorends - Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield (via Stainforth)
* 445: Clayton - Adwick le Street
* 450: Tickhill - Edlington
* 470: Belle Vue - Cantley
* 707: Doncaster - Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield