Arriva Announce Takeover of Some GHA Coaches Services

Arriva Buses have announced that they are working into partnership with local authorities to see how they could deliver services previously carried out by GHA Coaches.

The announcement comes as a result of GHA Coaches entering into administration and ‘immediately ceasing trading’.

This morning Arriva Buses announced that they were working with local councils in Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Cheshire East and Cheshire West to see they could help deliver services previously carried out by GHA Coaches.

A statement released on the Arriva website this afternoon reads: “At the moment, we are working to understand the full extent of the impact and how we at Arriva will be able to respond. In the first instance, please consult the current timetable and ticketing information on this website for information on our current services.

“We will issue updates at 12:00 and again at 15:00 today to advise of the progress made, both on this webpage and on our Facebook and Twitter pages. These updates will provide information regarding the release of emergency timetables and ticketing information, as well as any other information that will help with journey planning.

“Any developments outside these updates will be communicated via our Facebook and Twitter social media pages. You can contact our Customer Services team on 0344 800 44 11, although at present they have no further information other than that posted here.

“At present we are working with local councils in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester to understand how we can help deliver services previously operated by GHA. Each of these councils have information relating to the situation on their own websites and social media, and we suggest you also visit these sites to see how you are affected.”

At midday Arriva posted an update to several services that they had taken over, these include:

Service 5, Wrexham to Llangollen – Arriva is now running this service (timetable to follow)

Service 11A, Rhyl to Chester Evening service – Arriva will be covering these journeys as per the GHA times

Service 82, Chester to Northwich – Arriva is now running this service – (timetable is available)

Service 83, 84, 84A, Rhyl locals Sunday service – Arriva will be covering these journeys (times TBC)

Those who have been affected by GHA Coaches going into administration are advised to check the Arriva Buses website for further updates on changes to services.

Speaking this afternoon about the news that GHA Coaches has entered into administration, Wrexham’s AM Lesley Griffiths said: “My thoughts are with GHA Coaches employees who face an uncertain time.  This is extremely disappointing news, affecting Wrexham and the surrounding areas, and I will do all I can to protect Wrexham constituents.”

“The Welsh Government, local authorities and external consultants are working closely with the management of GHA Coaches in an attempt to safeguard jobs and minimise service disruption.”

You can read our coverage from last night’s announcement here. Further information on changes to school transport can be found here.