Steve Morris gives Nick Larkin an update on how his Quantock Heritage operation continues to thrive
Somerset operator already reporting an increase in business has taken on further work available after another local concern ceased trading. [wlm_nonmember][…]
By subscribing you will benefit from:
- Operator & Supplier Profiles
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Lastest News
- Test Drives and Reviews
- Legal Updates
- Route Focus
- Industry Insider Opinions
- Passenger Perspective
- Vehicle Launches
- and much more!
Taunton-based Quantock Heritage runs on a wide range of private hires as well as a summer tourist route. It was formed when Managing Director Steve Morris owned an engineering company, Rexquote, which incorporated a heritage bus operation, and set up Quantock Motor Services to run school contracts and service work. He continued to run this operation, along with Quantock Heritage for the classic buses. However, changes, including those in council subsidy, led to Quantock Motor Services ceasing to operate its four local services, and pass on school runs to Berry’s Coaches of Taunton before ceasing to trade in 2014.
Quantock Heritage continued to thrive and Steve now has around 15 heritage vehicles available, covering an area approximately between Gloucester and Penzance, though vehicles are known to travel further.
The fleet includes HJA965E, a 1967 Neepsend-bodied Leyland PD2/40 new to Stockport Corporation; RTC822, a 1953 Leyland PD2/12 delivered to Rawtenstall but presented in the livery of Scout Motor Services; BOW507C, an AEC Regent V delivered with Neepesend bodywork new to Southampton in 1965; a ‘sightseeing’ London Transport AEC Regal IV/Metro Cammell RF-type registered LUC 213 new in 1951 and CDB206, a 1950 Bristol L5G with Weymann body delivered to North Western.
Further half cab single-deckers are 1950 former Birmingham Weymann-bodied Leyland Tiger PS2/1 JOJ257 and former Crosville GFM882, a 1947 Bristol L6A/ECW, JFM575, a 1948 Strachan-bodied AEC Regal III and LFM320, a 1950 Leyland Tiger PS1/1 with Weymann body.
Steve employs a full-time fleet engineer, Andrew Bosier and apprentice, Ben Dryburgh as well as having other people to call on. Vehicle restorations and other work are carried out for both outside parties and the Quantock fleet for which OD7497, a 1934 new to Devon General Short-bodied AEC Regent later converted to open-top, is currently being prepared for service.
“More work has been coming in than ever before,” said Steve. “I think the idea of hiring a heritage vehicle for a wedding or whatever is now in the minds of the public.”
Steve also revealed that the demise of a rival operator using the Crosville Motor Services name in Weston-super-Mare had led to Quantock taking on extra bookings. “This involves about 40 weddings,” he said.
He added that Quantock Heritage would definitely be running its 300 Minehead-Porlock-Lynmouth heritage service on Mondays to Fridays during August to September next year. “We were pleased with how this service, which operates without subsidy, went this year,” he said.
Quantock Heritage details via www.quantockheritage.com or 01984 624906.
[/wlm_ismember]