Andy Repton loves what he does at Reptons Coaches. But in the 38 years since changing career and buying a coach, because he ‘had a plan in his head’, the twists and turns on the road to business success have been many and varied
In November 2024, Pelican Bus and Coach used its presence at Euro Bus Expo to announce an order for a Yutong E9L battery-electric small bus for Surrey-based Reptons Coaches. Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, thanked Reptons for its business, commenting that it had been an absolute pleasure working on this project with Sophie Repton and her father Andy.
It is the word ‘project’ that I mention to Andy and Sophie when I meet with them at their premises in Great Bookham, near Leatherhead in Surrey.
“We’re really excited about this,” says Andy. “From the start, Yutong has given us advice on infrastructure. I took one of our drivers, Simon, who will drive the new Yutong, to visit Newport Bus in South Wales in July 2024 to see its own fleet of Yutongs. We spoke to drivers and mechanics and received a positive response.
“We operate six local bus services and three school-only bus services under contract to Surrey County Council (SCC) using four Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s. I’ve had a good relationship with SCC since the early days of the business so I was keen to support the authority’s objective of moving to a zero-emission bus fleet. The E9L fits the nature of what we do, as well as fitting into our yard.”
Andy recalls the importance of identifying a suitable power supply.
“We’re fortunate that we have a substation nearby,” he says. “That will give us enough power for now. We will charge the bus(es) overnight so we’re also looking at how the facility can be used on a commercial basis for other non-bus EV operators in the area. We’re going on courses run by Pelican Bus and Coach to understand the transition to EV operation. It’s a huge thing for us, and quite a learning curve. It feels as though we’re going back to school.”
The Yutong E9L is is being part funded by SCC which is paying the difference between the price for a diesel and electric vehicle. Reptons will own the battery, which comes with an eight-year guarantee from Pelican.
“We’re going for slow charging overnight,” explains Sophie. “That will benefit battery life. I’d like to thank Ian Downie and Julie Smith at Pelican Bus and Coach for their support which has been fantastic. The E9L is due later this year, with our plan to replace all our diesel bus fleet with EVs in due course.”
A change in career
Andy didn’t start out in his working life as a coach operator.
“I trained as a plumbing and heating engineer,” he explains. “I’d always been interested in coaches and I had a plan in my head to do some private hire and contract work. In 1986, as soon as I’d completed my apprenticeship and set up my own business, I bought a Bedford YRT with Duple Dominant I bodywork (PJF 45M) from Vince Coaches in Burghclere, near Newbury. The coach carried an attractive blue and cream livery, a livery that influenced our livery today. I ran the coach and the plumbing business together for six months, before deciding that I much preferred the coaching activity.
“I got myself on to SCC’s tender list, winning a contract for Trinity School in Esher. My wife, Louise, has always been very supportive from day one. We were married in 1992 and she’s helped me build the business to what it is today. She’s been a rock throughout. My mum, Ann, who is also a partner in the business, has also been very supportive. I was working with other local operators and business grew. Two well-known industry stalwarts who influenced me greatly were Dudley Haynes of Banstead Coaches, and Bill Martin, of Martins of Woking.”
In 1992 Reptons moved from its site at Chobham to a corner of Brooklands Airfield. Andy also took the decision to move into heavyweight coaches.
“I was looking for a Volvo,” he says. “I found a Plaxton Paramount 3500, formerly with Horseshoe Coaches of Tottenham, north London, and being sold by Bob Vale Coach Sales. It wasn’t until 1997 that I bought new for the first time. At the time I couldn’t afford a new Volvo so in the end it was a compromise and I ended up with a mid-weight Dennis Javelin with a 53-seat Plaxton Premiere body.”
Love affair with Van Hool
In 1999, Andy was shown a Van Hool Alizee by Mick O’Connor of Bob Vale Coach Sales.
“This was my first opportunity to take a close look at a Van Hool,” he says. “I was impressed. The build quality was better than anything else around at the time. So I looked around for one and bought 546 FJB, a Volvo B10M, new to Shearings. That vehicle started my love affair with Van Hool.
“In 2002 we were given notice to leave the Brooklands site because Mercedes-Benz was buying it. However, the company offered us a monthly licence to stay until it needed our bit of the site to develop what became Mercedes-Benz World. But by a pleasing coincidence, and in one of those moments you can look back on and say thank you, I received a call from Mick O’ Connor to say that Bookham Coaches, based about eight miles away, was looking to sell. I went over and had a good look around. There was a large garage for undercover maintenance. I liked what I saw, made an offer, and the premises, tools, name and book of work became mine on Christmas Eve 2003.”
Football scores a success
For many years, Reptons’ reputation generated interest among football clubs looking for team coaches.
“Following an enquiry I bought a 32-seat Van Hool Alizee T9-bodied DAF SB3000 from Eavesway,” says Andy. “We re-liveried it here and it became the team coach for Woking FC and other football teams, including Aldershot Town and Crawley Town. That was followed by a second coach that went into service for AFC Wimbledon. Our reputation was growing and I remember receiving a call from Oxford United. But I didn’t have a spare coach, and acquiring a third wasn’t an option. However, we realised that if Oxford and Wimbledon could have alternating away fixtures then I could use the coach for both teams. The two teams went to the Football Association and, remarkably, came back with news that this would be done! Looking back we earned good money from football-related work.”
Buses arrive
Andy recalls the start of bus operations.
“In 2001 one of our local bus operators, Tillingbourne, closed its doors. SCC got in touch resulting in us buying a Mercedes-Benz Plaxton Beaver and taking on a local service in Woking on a temporary basis. In 2012 we won two SCC contracts for services 478 and 678, contracts we still operate today. We initially leased a 2007-plate Enviro 200 from Dawsons for the route. We liked it and ran it until the delivery of our own E200. In 2017 we were awarded more bus routes and we’ve been successful in keeping them.
“The move into bus was fortunate. Without the bus contracts, and additional rail replacement work, it would have been significantly harder to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were lucky. However, as with most operators, the pandemic gave us pause to consider where we were going, both as a company, and as a family.
“It might come as a surprise to learn that we gave up the football work. It was good money, but there was always the possibility of exuberant fans causing damage. At the same time, with fewer operators about, contract and private hire rates were increasing. We found ourselves in a good place. The pause had shown that we could earn more money with local work, and enjoy a better lifestyle. This job takes its toll. We wanted, and needed, a better work life balance, for us and our drivers. Today, we’re more selective about what jobs we take.”
The love affair falters
Noting the three very tidy Van Hool coaches parked in the yard, how is Andy managing the current uncertainties?
“In the second half of 2023 I’d put in an order for an EX,” he says. “This time it was noticeable that the company was really pushing for us to pay the deposit. In January 2024, Sophie and I went over to the factory in Belgium. We were walking around, but compared to previous visits, everything was quiet. The place was dead. I had a funny feeling. We sat down to finalise the specification choices, but those choices had been narrowed down. Alarm bells were ringing and I stopped the order. Something really wasn’t right. In hindsight I’m glad that we didn’t pay the deposit.
“I still would like a Van Hool. It’s a matter of waiting now because just at the moment, the company (VDL Van Hool) isn’t where I’d personally like it to be. In terms of fleet replacement we are looking at other manufacturers. But even with that, the choice is reduced. It’s another challenge for the business. Before, Van Hool was always good with the operator. I could never fault it. The company was a genuine, honest builder. Time will show what this new world is like. After all the years of taking Van Hools to rallies, it would be a real shame if that can’t continue.”
Labours of love
Adding to Reptons’ fleet of five coaches and four buses are two heritage vehicles.
A707 GPR, a 1984 Leyland Tiger with Duple Dominant V bodywork acquired in 2020, is currently being professionally restored. This was the last new coach bought by Bill Martin at Martins of Woking and the vehicle that Andy Repton borrowed the most when he was establishing his coach hire business. The vehicle is being fitted with original moquette at Eastgate Coach Trimmers in North Yorkshire.
The second coach, CTM 405T, a 1979 Bedford YMT with Plaxton Supreme IV bodywork is also work in progress. The coach, new to Ben Stanley Coaches, was bought from Ireland in 2004 and is the vehicle that Andy passed his test in back in 1984.
A promising future
I ask Andy about the future.
“Looking ahead, I’ll never retire,” he says. “What would I do? But clearly there will come a point where I will need to take a back seat. Fortunately, Sophie, who’s now 23, has shown a real interest and aptitude for the business. She passed her Transport Manager CPC in 2019 while still at school. She has her PCV licence and drives, but as Operations Manager, her role in the business is crucial.”
Sophie explains what prompted her to get involved.
“During sixth form I’d looked into becoming an apprentice mechanic,” she says. “After the pandemic I had a change of heart and decided I wanted to come into the family business. There was no pressure from my parents. They’ve worked so hard to get the business where it is today, and I’m really keen to help ensure the future of the business in the years to come.”
It’s a comment that makes Andy smile again.
“Looking ahead I can see more consolidation in the industry, but we need the smaller operator,” he says. “We need to keep the quality. Having Sophie and Louise here as part of the team makes me very happy. I’m very fortunate!”
