North East Independents

[DunsBus]

RE: North East Independents

(05/07/2013 23:02)N391OTY Wrote:  Indeed, ex-Munros 435 was on service 131 today in Peter Hogg's livery. Reg T435 EBD.

I take it you meant 3rd July ?

(05/07/2013 22:33)DunsBus Wrote:  Munro's of Jedburgh ceased trading after service on Wednesday evening (3rd May). Although not a North-East based operator the company ran service 131 between Jedburgh and Newcastle for many years. Peter Hogg of Jedburgh are currently covering this service pending the award of a new contract by Northumberland County Council.

The other services run by Munro's have been awarded to other operators, in some cases on a temporary basis prior to the new Scottish Borders Council contracts starting on 12th August. The full list is:

20 Kelso - Hawick via Jedburgh (First, Perryman's and Peter Hogg, certain journeys only)
21 Jedburgh town service (Peter Hogg)
51/52 Edinburgh - Jedburgh/Kelso via Lauder (First)
54 Galashiels local service (First)
61 Galashiels - Lauder via Earlston (First)
68 Galashiels - Jedburgh (Perryman's)
74 Galashiels - Melrose via Netherdale (First)
80 Kelso town service (Scottish Borders Council in-house fleet)
81 Kelso - Morebattle/Yetholm (Perryman's)
83 Kelso - Sprouston (Scottish Borders Council in-house fleet)

Yes indeed, 3rd July. My bad!

Munro's had announced to both Scottish Borders Council and Northumberland County Council on Tuesday (2nd July) that they would be finishing after service the following day. I believe that it's been cash-flow problems that has brought on Munro's demise, although recent events such as the O-licence reovcation, subsequent unsuccessful appeal and the granting of a new licence, plus the recent contract losses to Perryman's, won't have helped their cause. There was a lot of speculation about the future of Munro's over the last few months and doubts expressed about the future of the company, which have proven to be correct.

The 51/52 and 61 are being run by First on a caretaker basis until Perryman's take over the contracts for these services on August 12th; the 68 has actually passed to Perryman's ahead of the August start date.