Redwing Coaches MD Paul Hockley has denied that his firm is attempting to ‘pass off’ as Epsom Coaches, after two new coaches from a cancelled order, delivered in Epsom’s colours, had the words ‘Epsom’ and ‘Coaches’ added.
Both are now in traffic and the move prompted strong criticism on social media after Redwing posted pictures.
Redwing, based in Herne Hill an hour’s drive away from Epsom, runs most of its fleet in all-over red, branded ‘Redwing of London’.
The two Mercedes-Benz Tourismo 49-seater 13m tri-axles are from a batch of four ordered by Epsom Coaches earlier in the year, but then cancelled in the wake of the RATP-owned operator in the town decided to close its holiday and day-trip operation (routeone, News, 5 April).
The coaches’ maroon stripes are factory painted, rather than vinyls and the pair was sold unlettered. Two more remain available from Coventry dealership EvoBus.
Mr Hockley told routeone: “I don’t see what the issue is; we’re not ‘passing off’ and haven’t done anything illegal. After the end of June Epsom Coaches will cease to exist; we bought these coaches from EvoBus and were not required to repaint them.”
He says that Redwing is looking to gain private hire work, and has set up a firm called Redwing Coaches of Epsom.
RATP-owned Epsom Coaches has already secured a deal with Gardiners NMC to continue operating the rest of its 2017 holiday and day excursion programme after Epsom Coaches closes at the end of June. However, the Epsom operation, brand, name and ‘book’ were not put up for sale.
RATP will continue to operate coaches from Epsom’s base on contacts and private hire. Existing coaches are being painted in all-over cream and will be operated under the existing Quality Line brand.
EvoBus and Epsom Coaches declined to comment.
