First Northampton - the end.
Northampton transport. I was told was once the most profitable British municipal operator. Then First Group got their hands on it....As First are only capable of managing decline (badly) the end inevitably came to this isolated pocket of First operation on 14th Sept 2013. Latterly they were down to just two routes! The whole shabby mess fizzled out that evening with the arrival back in depot of the last trip on route 2 at the late hour of about 2100! Fortunately most routes in Northampton are now in the more than capable hands of Stagecoach - who have a clear idea of what they are doing. Unlike First.
The 4a was one of the two routes surviving. One is seen late in the afternoon at the outer end at Acre Lane. Shortly afterwards the service fizzled out and stopped - so the last buses never ran. Probably the drivers were down the pub. I would have been.
First Northampton - the end.
Northampton transport. I was told was once the most profitable British municipal operator. Then First Group got their hands on it....As First are only capable of managing decline (badly) the end inevitably came to this isolated pocket of First operation on 14th Sept 2013. Latterly they were down to just two routes! The whole shabby mess fizzled out that evening with the arrival back in depot of the last trip on route 2 at the late hour of about 2100! Fortunately most routes in Northampton are now in the more than capable hands of Stagecoach - who have a clear idea of what they are doing. Unlike First.
The 4a was one of the two routes surviving. One is seen late in the afternoon at the outer end at Acre Lane. Shortly afterwards the service fizzled out and stopped - so the last buses never ran. Probably the drivers were down the pub. I would have been.