Disappearing Independents - 9
Filers Travel of Ilfracombe caused a surprise by entering into administration on 1st September 2025. Whilst I tend to focus on South Wales operators, it was a company with which I was familiar as a result of Summer day trips on the PS Waverley and MV Balmoral from Swansea to Ilfracombe.
Predominantly a coach operator, the company undertook competitive local bus operations against independently owned North Devon (Red Bus) between the late 1980s and late 1990s. This was with an eclectic mix of vehicles, including the infamous Alexander R-bodied Iveco Ford Turbocity former demonstrator J227 OKX and former Hill's of Tredegar Duple Dominant-bodied Leyland Tiger A774 WHB.
However, after the skirmishes ended, the company concentrated on contracted services for Devon County Council. The local bus fleet then became more 'standardised', and included Mercedes 709Ds and Varios, Dennis Darts, Plaxton Primos, Optare Solos, Enviro200s and Wright StreetLites. The highlight for me was a 'classic shape' Transbus Enviro300, which was usually employed on Service 31 between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe:
www.flickr.com/photos/129716166@N03/36403898996/in/photol...
An unusual acquisition was this 10m Optare Excel, P429 AHR, which had started life as a demonstrator registered P446 SWX. My shot dates from July 2012 and shows her in Boutport Street in Barnstaple having arrived on Service 301 from Combe Martin and Ilfracombe. She was subsequently re-registered JFZ 8261 and received a blue skirt, and left the fleet the following year.
All of the company's contracted local bus services in North Devon passed to Stagecoach in 2023 and 2024, allowing it to concentrate on coaching and contract work.
Disappearing Independents - 9
Filers Travel of Ilfracombe caused a surprise by entering into administration on 1st September 2025. Whilst I tend to focus on South Wales operators, it was a company with which I was familiar as a result of Summer day trips on the PS Waverley and MV Balmoral from Swansea to Ilfracombe.
Predominantly a coach operator, the company undertook competitive local bus operations against independently owned North Devon (Red Bus) between the late 1980s and late 1990s. This was with an eclectic mix of vehicles, including the infamous Alexander R-bodied Iveco Ford Turbocity former demonstrator J227 OKX and former Hill's of Tredegar Duple Dominant-bodied Leyland Tiger A774 WHB.
However, after the skirmishes ended, the company concentrated on contracted services for Devon County Council. The local bus fleet then became more 'standardised', and included Mercedes 709Ds and Varios, Dennis Darts, Plaxton Primos, Optare Solos, Enviro200s and Wright StreetLites. The highlight for me was a 'classic shape' Transbus Enviro300, which was usually employed on Service 31 between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe:
www.flickr.com/photos/129716166@N03/36403898996/in/photol...
An unusual acquisition was this 10m Optare Excel, P429 AHR, which had started life as a demonstrator registered P446 SWX. My shot dates from July 2012 and shows her in Boutport Street in Barnstaple having arrived on Service 301 from Combe Martin and Ilfracombe. She was subsequently re-registered JFZ 8261 and received a blue skirt, and left the fleet the following year.
All of the company's contracted local bus services in North Devon passed to Stagecoach in 2023 and 2024, allowing it to concentrate on coaching and contract work.