Rotala

History

In March 2005 Rotala was listed on the Alternative Investment Market. In August 2005 it agreed on terms to purchase Flights Hallmark.

In October 2006 the business of Zak's Buses, Birmingham was purchased and rebranded Central Connect followed in December 2006 by Birmingham Motor Traction (20 vehicles). In June 2007 Ludlow's of Halesowen (21 vehicles) was purchased followed in July 2007 by North Birmingham Busways (26 vehicles) of Erdington.

In April 2007 Flights Hallmark commenced operating services in Bristol under the Wessex Connect brand after winning the contract to provide two Bristol City Council park and ride services and in June 2007 purchased the bus routes of South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach with 68 buses.

In March 2008, the Go West Midlands business was purchased. At this stage Rotala merged all its Birmingham based operations under the Diamond Bus brand. In January 2011, Preston Bus was purchased from Stagecoach.

In January 2013, Rotala purchased depots in Kidderminster and Redditch from First Midland Red with 36 buses. These were integrated into the Diamond Bus operation. In March 2015, Rotala acquired South Lancs Travel from D&G Bus and Julian Peddle and rebranded it Diamond Bus North West.

In June 2015, the 17 vehicle Wings Luxury Travel operation in London was purchased and integrated with Rotala's existing Heathrow operation. In December 2015, Rotala purchased the Heathrow-based operations of OFJ Connections.

Former Operations

Rotala's first acquisition was Surrey Connect in 2005, when Centra decided to sell its Addlestone operation. The business was purchased by Flights Hallmark. Surrey Connect developed and continued to grow and won contracts for a number of Surrey County Council tendered routes. Rotala sold the company in June 2007 to Wiltax.