Central Buses

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title: "Central Buses" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["former-bus-operators-in-shropshire", "former-bus-operators-in-the-west-midlands-(county)", "former-bus-operators-in-worcestershire", "transport-companies-established-in-2003", "transport-companies-disestablished-in-2018", "2003-establishments-in-england", "2018-disestablishments-in-england", "british-companies-established-in-2003", "british-companies-disestablished-in-2018"] description: "English bus company" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Buses" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary English bus company ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox bus transit"]

Field	Value
logo	Central Buses logo.svg
image	Central Buses BU12 LJO.jpg
image_caption	Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 in September 2012
parent	Geoff Cross
founded	September 2003
defunct	24 February 2018
headquarters	Perry Barr
service_area	Birmingham
Coventry
Staffordshire
Warwickshire
Worcestershire
Shropshire
service_type	Bus operator
depots	3
routes	23 (February 2018)
fleet	31 (February 2018)
website	www.centralbuses.com
::

|name = |logo = Central Buses logo.svg |image = Central Buses BU12 LJO.jpg |image_caption = Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 in September 2012 |parent = Geoff Cross |founded = September 2003 |defunct = 24 February 2018 |headquarters = Perry Barr |locale = |service_area = Birmingham Coventry Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Shropshire |service_type = Bus operator |hubs = |stations = |depots = 3 |routes = 23 (February 2018) |fleet = 31 (February 2018) |operator = |ceo = |website = www.centralbuses.com}}

Central Buses was a bus company based in Birmingham, England.

History

Central Buses was founded in September 2003 by 16-year-old Geoff Cross.

Later, a separate arm of the company was created. Centrad was created under the CEN Group brand, which Central Buses also joined. This supplies electronic equipment to the bus industry.

Many of the services operated by Central Buses were operated under contract to Transport for West Midlands. All buses were equipped to use prepaid fare cards.

In February 2018, Central Buses was purchased by Rotala for £1.95 million, with its 23 services and 31 buses taken over by its Diamond West Midlands subsidiary. Operations ceased at the conclusion of services on 24 February 2018.

Fleet

As of February 2018, the fleet consisted of 31 buses. Fleet livery was red and grey.

References

References

1. [http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04754447 Companies House extract company no 4754447] Cen Group Limited
2. [http://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/160133/Start-your-own-business-Young-bus-operator-takes-slow-lane-to-success Start your own business: Young bus operator takes slow lane to success] ''[[Daily Express]]'' 24 February 2010
3. "Rotala grows again with £2m Central Buses deal" ''[[Buses (magazine). Buses]]'' issue 756 March 2018 page 7
4. (1 January 2010). "Buses to trial new pre-paid systems". Express & Star.
5. John, Patrice. (9 October 2009). "Date set for Birmingham's delayed bus smartcard system". Birmingham Mail.
6. John, Patrice. (17 October 2009). "West Midlands public transport users soon to see electronic ticketing system". Birmingham Mail.
7. Authi, Jasbir. (20 January 2010). "Smartcard a step closer on Midlands transport". Birmingham Mail.
8. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180515003129/https://cbwmagazine.com/rotala-buys-central-buses/ Rotala buys Central Buses] ''[[Coach & Bus Week]]'' 2 February 2018
9. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180515003343/http://www.route-one.net/articles/Bus_routes/Rotala_buys_Central_Buses_for__1_95m Rotala buys Central Buses for £1.95 million] ''Route One'' 2 February 2018
10. "Central Buses to become Diamond Bus Services".
11. "Central Buses bows out in style" ''Buses'' issue 757 April 2018 page 10
12. "Central Farewell" ''Bus & Coach Preservation'' May 2018 page 21

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