Greater Manchester operator Bibby Bespoke Minibuses has continued its expansion in the field of full-size coaches, with the Carrington business noting that such growth is primarily being driven by increasing demand for private hire and contract services.
To continue servicing clients in those fields, it has purchased a Neoplan Tourliner that was recently entered into the 2026 UK Coach Rally by Go Goodwins and which contributed to the Clwyd operator claiming a raft of trophies at the event in Blackpool over the weekend of 18 and 19 April.
The Tourliner will maintain is corporate internal specification, allowing the Bibby operation to develop into that field. Private hire, sports team travel and higher-end group movements will also be fulfilled by the coach, says Operations Manager Rachel Gerrie (pictured, above).
Ms Gerrie joined in July 2025 and works alongside directors Jeanette and Richard Bibby (pictured, below) in pushing the business forward.
It commenced with minibuses but moved into larger vehicles in 2022 with the purchase of a Plaxton Cheetah XL-bodied Mercedes-Benz Atego and a 49-seat Tourliner in 2023. A 53-seater followed in 2025, with the ex-Go Goodwins vehicle complementing those.
Beyond private hire and contracts, Ms Gerrie runs a programme of day excursions and has commenced development of a tour line-up. “Both have reinforced the requirement for larger and more versatile vehicles within the fleet,” she says.
Use of larger coaches alongside minibuses gives flexibility for different sized groups while enabling the leisure travel aspect to further grow, Ms Gerrie continues. As well as contracts, private hire and small group movements, the minibuses also work airport transfers.
The newly-arrived Tourliner is currently undergoing repaint and will then take its place as flagship of the Bibby Bespoke Minibuses operation.
“Looking ahead, we see continued opportunities for growth and intend to expand further in line with demand, with a particular focus on developing our day trip and touring programme alongside our core private hire and contract operations,” Ms Gerrie says.
