Rotala is to extend its Diamond Bus brand to capture bus services in Oxfordshire and Surrey that are currently operated under the Hallmark name.
The AIM-listed group already operates as Diamond Bus in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Worcester and Warwickshire. “We expect ongoing growth in our bus operation, and we feel that it would make more sense to consolidate where we see possible into Diamond Bus,” says Chief Executive Simon Dunn.
However, Mr Dunn adds that Rotala’s Hotel Hoppa brand at Heathrow Airport and the Preston Bus identity in Lancashire are to be retained. Additionally, the group’s coach business at Heathrow will remain under the Hallmark brand. Mr Dunn says that Rotala remains committed to that part of its operation.
As Hallmark Bus transitions to become Diamond Bus South East, its fleet will receive the blue-based identity of Rotala’s other Diamond operations, the company adds. It says that the change will allow the group to offer its services in Oxfordshire and Surrey “stronger support to enable these networks to grow.”
In a trading update issued on 11 January, Mr Dunn outlined a belief that Rotala expects to see further growth opportunities, “both organic and by acquisition,” once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
