By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Obituary: Jean Porteous, 1928-2021
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > News > Obituary: Jean Porteous, 1928-2021
NewsOperatorsPeople

Obituary: Jean Porteous, 1928-2021

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: January 10, 2022
Share
Jean Porteous, co founder of Alpha Coaches of Hull
SHARE

Jean Porteous, co-founder of respected operator Alpha Coaches of Hull, has died. She was 93.

Mrs Porteous began her involvement in the industry in 1959, when she and husband Terry established the business with a single minicoach. It continued on a small scale through the 1960s, operating on a part-time basis while Mr Porteous maintained employment elsewhere. By the middle of the decade three coaches were in use with the addition of various 29-seat Bedford VAS models and a Commer 14-seater.

In 1966 Alpha took delivery of its first new vehicle in the form of a Bedford CA with luxury 11-seat Martin Walker bodywork. It was supplied by dealer Jack Leah, who along with his wife Madge became lifelong friends of the Porteous family through many holidays and adventures abroad together.

After a lengthy conversation with Mr Leah when purchasing the CA, it was decided that Alpha would become a full-time occupation for Mr and Mrs Porteous. During the 1970s it expanded to six coaches, with the first full-size vehicle arriving in 1972. It was a Bedford VAL with Plaxton bodywork and came from fellow Yorkshire business Wallace Arnold. Various YRTs, also with Plaxton bodies, followed, along with Volvo B58-based models.

Mr and Mrs Porteous’s son Craig joined Alpha in the 1980s. During that decade its rapid growth began. The first new full-sized coach – a Ford R1114 with Duple Dominant IV bodywork – arrived in 1982 and that vehicle opened European operations to Alpha.

Securing contracts with tour operators in 1984 led to the arrival of further new Duple-bodied coaches in the form of a pair of Leyland Tigers. They were followed by a decision to standardise on the Volvo B10M with Plaxton bodywork. Rapid expansion from that point into the 2000s saw the purchase of a number of other local operators and diversification into bus services.

Alpha’s fleet peaked at 92 by 2002. Mrs Porteous retired in January 2006, when the business was sold to Dunn-Line. She remained a regular visitor to trade shows and other coach industry events until recent years, where she enjoyed the company of many longstanding industry friends.

Mrs Porteous leaves her son Craig, daughter Janine and grandson Lee, Mr Porteous Sr having passed away in 1998. Her funeral will take place at 1430hrs on Tuesday 18 January at Haltemprice Crematorium, Willerby, HU10 6NS. It will be followed by a gathering at the Star Inn, Willerby, HU10 6BY.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article CPT launches new brand CPT refreshes brand as coach travel TV campaign to launch
Next Article Metroline route PB1 Metrocity Metroline launches its first battery-electric bus in Hertfordshire
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Little likelihood of spending review bus bonanza
Low likelihood of spending review bonanza for bus: David Leeder
News
Bus operator political engagement key in non franchising areas says Tony Depledge
Bus operator political engagement ‘is key in non-franchising areas’
News
Yutong battery electric bus energy capacity and warranty to improve
Yutong electric bus battery capacities and warranties to increase
News
Edinburgh multimodal tap on tap off scheme launched by Flowbird
Flowbird facilitates multimodal capped tap on, tap off in Edinburgh
Suppliers
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd