MK Metro

Infobox Bus transit
name = MK Metro Ltd

logo_size = 185


image_caption = MK Metro logo
founded = 2 May 1997
headquarters = Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes (Head office: Doxford Park, Sunderland)
service_area = UK
service_type = Bus services
destinations =
fleet = 110
operator = Arriva
ceo = General Manager: Keith Hayward
website =

MK Metro is the main bus operator in Milton Keynes, England. In February 2006, it was purchased by Arriva Shires & Essex [" [http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2006/2006-02-13 Arriva press release on MK Metro purchase] " arriva.co.uk - Retrieved 24 December 2007] , but the vehicles will not receive any sort of Arriva corporate branding. Most times Arriva purchases bus companies, the vehicles are repainted as quickly as possible, like Blue Bus of Bolton. The sale to Arriva was subsequently considered by the Office of Fair Trading for referral to the Competition Commission, however it decided not to do so [" [http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/decisions/2006/arriva2 OFT decision on purchase by Arriva] " oft.gov.uk - Retrieved 24 December 2007] .

History

The "MK Metro" name first appeared on the streets of Milton Keynes in 1997 when Stagecoach Holdingc plc was ordered by the OFT to divest of its operations in Milton Keynes and Huntingdon. This followed an investigation in 1996 into their acquisition of Cambus Holdings Ltd which, according to the OFT, had led to an unacceptable monopoly of bus operations in Cambridgeshire, Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford and Mid Bedfordshire [" [http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/register-orders-undertakings/lieu/stagecoach-holdings Details of divestment and behavioural undertakings by Stagecoach] " oft.gov.uk - Retrieved 26 December 2007] .

MK Metro Ltd was purchased on 2nd May 1997 by bus entrepreneur Julian Peddle (formerly Managing Director of Stevensons of Uttoxeter), using a new company Premier Buses Ltd both to operate in Huntingdon (using the “Premier Buses” brand name) and also as a holding company with which to purchase MK Metro Ltd [" [http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/4/31/1823563.pdf Changes to competition law and policies adopted 1997] " oecd.org - Retrieved 26 December 2007] .

Julian decided to introduce “MK Metro” as a new brand name for the Milton Keynes operation, replacing “Milton Keynes Citybus” (the company Milton Keynes Citybus Ltd itself was retained by Stagecoach) and “Road Car” (MK Metro Ltd had until 1995 been known as Buckinghamshire Road Car Ltd) which were both carried by buses at the time. The new name also introduced the bright yellow and blue livery which is still in use today.

In late 2007, a new logo was introduced following the introduction of Wright Cadets (see below). This uses a lower case font. The old logo is still used on most buses however.

Fleet

The fleet ranges from mainly Dennis Darts (high floor and low floor, with a variety of bodywork), to Mercedes minibuses and Optare Solos. They also have double-deck Optare Spectras, and Scania L94s with Wrightbus Solar bodywork. Two new Solars arrived in 2006. Three further Solos have arrived in 2008, two in Arriva colours and one in a green colour, as well as a new double-decker and two taxis.

Routes

There are many routes, which mostly pass through or serve Central Milton Keynes. However, routes 12, 16, 25 and 30/31 do not. The routes are generally numbered from 1 to 26, although there are some omissions and some routes in the 30s, as well as a Park and Ride route numbered 200.

*1 / A / B: City Centre - Newport Pagnell - Lavendon / Cranfield / Northampton
*2: Wolverton - City Centre - Newport Pagnell
*3 / E: Wolverton - City Centre - Shenley Church End
*4 / A / E: Wolverton/Stony Stratford - City Centre - Bletchley
*5 / E: Wolverton/Stony Stratford - City Centre - Bletchley - Lakes Estate
*6 / A: Wolverton/Bradville - City Centre - Bletchley
*8 / A: Medbourne/Tattenhoe - City Centre - Bletchley
*9 / A: Newport Pagnell - City Centre - Bletchley
*10E: City Centre - Kingston - Wavendon - Woburn Sands
*11: Milton Keynes - Monkston - Woburn Sands - Bow Brickhill - Bletchley
*12: Stony Stratford - Wolverton - Open University
*13: Stony Stratford - City Centre - Bletchley - Lakes Estate
*14: Deanshanger - City Centre - Bletchley
*15: Wolverton - City Centre - Kingston
*16: Bletchley - Emerson Valley - Westcroft
*17A: Milton Keynes - Moulsoe - Cranfield
*18: City Centre - Woolstone - Bletchley
*20: Kingsmead - City Centre - Walnut Tree
*22: Newton Blossomville - Olney - City Centre
*23: Stony Stratford - City Centre - Bletchley
*24: Bletchley - City Centre - Bedford
*25: Newport Pagnell - Open University
*26E: Bletchley - City Centre - Walnut Tree - Kingston Centre
*30 / 31: Newport Pagnell - Wolverton - Stony Stratford - Bletchley
*33: Milton Keynes - Wolverton - Hanslope
*200: Coachway Park and Ride site - City Centre - Coachway Park and Ride site. Park and Ride service.

Timetables can be found [http://mkmetro.co.uk/timtables.html here] , on the new official MK Metro website, or [http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/transport/displayarticle.asp?id=20053 here] on the MK Council website.

Areas of Operation

*Bedfordshire
*Buckinghamshire
*Borough of Milton Keynes
*Northamptonshire

References

External links

* [http://www.mkmetro.co.uk Official website]
* [http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/transport/displayarticle.asp?id=20053 Bus timetables (MK Council)]
* [http://www.allaboardblog.co.uk/?page_id=160 Unofficial MK Metro timetable information]
* [http://www.arriva.co.uk Arriva website]
* [http://www.carlberry.co.uk/op/MK_Metro_Milton_Keynes.htm Map of operations]
* [http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnshowo.asp?O=MKEYNES&G=1 Photos of fleet]