Jim Stones Coaches

Infobox Bus transit
name =

logo_size = 250
founded = 1968
headquarters = The Jays, Light Oaks Road, Glazebury, Warrington
service_area = Greater Manchester
service_type = Bus Services
destinations = Leigh, Atherton, Lowton, Higher Folds,
stations = Depot: Derby St West, Leigh
fleet = 16 buses
operator = Jim Stones Coaches
website = [http://www.jimstonescoaches.com/ www.jimstonescoaches.com]

Jim Stones Coaches is a bus operator that operates a number of commercial and supported routes on behalf of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive in the Leigh, West Manchester area. Their main hub is Leigh Bus Station.

Set up in 1968 the company operated coaches only for private hire and contract duties prior to the deregulation of buses in 1986. Upon the bus deregulation of October 1986 the company started bus operations with two routes, 596 from Leigh to Landside and 599 Leigh to Higher Folds, and soon built up a loyal following of passengers. The company expanded operations by filling the bus network where the larger incumbent operator GM Buses retracted services, as well as winning school and tendered contract services on behalf of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive.

The fleet livery has been very similar since its inception being white upper body separated by light blue stripes from a much darker blue waistline scheme.

The fleet used today on all routes is 100% low floor buses for easy accessibility (except school services).

The company was awarded the Route ONE 'UK Bus Operator of The Year' for 2005 and the Pride of Leigh award in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

In the 1990s the company ran occasional day trips to various places including theatres, using its historic AEC coach registered TEC 599N.

Jim Stones became an early operator of a Dennis Dart bus (with Wadham Stringer Portsdown bodywork)in October 1990 registration plate H1 JYM. The company later was the first operator of a Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart midibus, entering service in August 2006, using a 10.7m version of the model - the bus being a Dennis Dart successor. Replacement of vehicles is frequent to maintain the low age profile of the fleet.

Previous vehicles operated in service, either new or second hand, include an Optare StarRider, several former military transport buses, a Leyland Swift with Reeve Burgess bodywork a single deck Leyland Atlantean, a Leyland Tiger bus with Plaxton bodywork, various Leyland Leopard and Ford coaches and various models of Mercedes-Benz minibuses .

Routes

*582 Leigh - Atherton
*584 Leigh - Crankwood
*584 Leigh - Common Lane
*587 Leigh - Dakins Road
*588 Leigh - Lowton, Scott Road
*589 Leigh - Lowton (circular) via Garton Drive
*590 Leigh - Lowton Estates via The Poplars
*591 Leigh - Lowton (circular)
*592 Leigh - Lowton (circular)
*593 Leigh - Tamar
*594 Leigh - Hindley Green
*595 Leigh - Abbey Lane
*596 Leigh - Landside
*597 Leigh - Marshall Street, Leigh
*672 Leigh - Higher Folds
*673 Leigh - Higher Folds
*681 Atherton - Hag Fold
*682 Leigh - Atherton

chool Routes

*419 Leigh - Lowton Junction
*551 Leigh - Astley St Mary's High School
*553 Astley - Boothstown - Mosley Common
*931 Astley - Higher Fold
*932 Leigh - Westleigh High School
*932 Hag Fold, Atherton - Westleigh High School
*933 Astley St Mary's High School - Leigh (afternoons only)
*979 Leigh - Lowton High School & St Aelred's High School
*985 Astley - Mosley Common
*988 Leigh - Golborne High School & St Aelred's High School
*990 Atherton - Hag Fold
*991 Briarcroft - Atherton - Hag Fold

Fleet

* 1 x Alexander Dennis Enviro300
* 4 x Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart
* 3 x Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer
* 5 x Transbus Dart TransBus Pointer
* 1 x Alexander Dennis Dart Pointer
* 2 x Leyland Tiger East Lancs
* 1 x Leyland Tiger Plaxton
* 1 x Leyland-DAB Tiger Cub

External links

* [http://www.jimstonescoaches.com/ Jim Stones Coaches website]