A Motherwell coach operator has thanked industry colleagues for their assistance over many years after deciding to retire from full-time involvement in the sector. Joe Nolan of Grangeburn Coaches surrendered the business’s O-Licence on 31 March after two “really hard” years over the COVID-19 pandemic and to spend more time with his family.
Most recently a one-coach operation, Mr Nolan says that after the sale of that vehicle – a Neoplan Starliner – he had intended to rent a newer model in readiness for the 2020 summer season.
However, because Grangeburn was without a coach when both the pandemic broke and the Scotland Coach Operators – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund was underway, it was not eligible for any financial assistance, despite incoming tour work and private hire having ordinarily represented almost all of its business.
Mr Nolan says that had incoming cruise arrivals returned in 2021 he may have continued to operate, but with those arrivals missing last year “and still not certain in 2022,” he decided to wind the business down.
Work that Grangeburn had already arranged for 2022 has been taken on by McNairn Coaches. Mr Nolan has thanked Director John McNairn for doing so and has agreed to drive for the Coatbridge operator as required during the summer months to ease the transition.
“John and I have been friends for many years, and we have each assisted the other over that time. He has been a big help to me and my business.
“Cruise and private hire work fits more easily into a larger fleet, and if cancellations occur, they can generally be worked around. But for a one-coach operator it is a different story,” he adds. “If it was not for COVID-19 I would have got over any issues that we had, but this is not a problem of our own making, and it is too big of a risk to restart.”
The history of Grangeburn Coaches can be traced back 70 years. Always a family business, Mr Nolan has been involved for 42 of those. He describes a feeling of “relief” after surrendering the O-Licence but adds that the one-coach approach in recent years had suited him.
The Starliner that was the fleet’s final vehicle had been purchased from Arvonia Coaches of Caernarfon alongside a Setra, but the latter was subsequently disposed of by Grangeburn. Mr Nolan speaks highly of earlier LAG coaches and in particular an EOS purchased new in 1990 (pictured, above and top).
“That was the best coach I have ever driven,” he continues. The EOS was used by the manufacturer in publicity material around the time of its delivery and it was also entered the UK Coach Rally.
Besides being set to assist McNairn Coaches in the summer, Mr Nolan has taken some other work outside the sector. “Having been involved in the industry all my life, I will miss the friendship and support of the many people I have crossed paths with.”
