Whittles Coaches has applied its new commemorative centenary branding to a first coach as the operator prepares to celebrate 100 years in 2026.
The livery was unveiled on paper earlier in 2025 but has now been affixed to a VDL Futura FHD2 in The Coach Travel Group subsidiary’s fleet. In addition to revised colours, it includes a prominent crest over the front axle to mark the achievement.
Managing Director Ashley Brown describes the coach as “a moving tribute to everyone who has travelled with us over the decades” and something that reflects the Kidderminster firm’s heritage, values and excitement for the future.
In addition to base white, three colours are part of the palette:
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- Lighter gold to symbolise the warmth and personal touches that have defined Whittles’ customer service for generations
- Darker gold to represent strength, resilience and the company’s enduring reputation in coach travel
- Deep green, to reflect growth, confidence and pride in every journey undertaken.
The operator says it will now gradually update the rest of its fleet to give customers a visible reminder of its history and forward-looking ambitions.
Whittles was founded by the Whittle family in Highley during 1926 and purchased by East Yorkshire Motor Services in the early-2000s.
It was then sold to Henley-in-Arden business Johnsons Coaches in 2015 after a refocus back to its core coach activities of private hire, holidays and day trips following involvement with local bus services. Johnsons became one of the founder operators of The Coach Travel Group in 2024.
