Based: Head office and depot – Hoyle Mill Road, Kinsley, West Yorkshire.
Website: www.bltravel.co.uk
Founded: 1998, when Brian Lockwood started a minibus business, operating from his home address in Hemsworth, first with a Ford Transit and then adding an LDV. Exarmed forces son Paul joined business 2001, having obtained a Certificate of Professional Competence.
Moved to current premises in Kinsley and launched midibus services in competition with Arriva using MCW Metroriders and Mercedes-Benz 709Ds. Replaced them 2005/06 with six Volvo B6BLE/Wright Crusader 2s ex-Whitelaw, Stonehouse and Wrightbus demonstrators. Optare Solos remained on West Yorkshire Metro’s Accessbus routes.
Started coaching with secondhand Volvo B10M and bought new coaches 2007. Bought first new full-size bus, Optare Versa YJ12 GVO, 2012.
Brian Lockwood died in 2015 and business changed from partnership to limited liability company, BL Travel (Yorkshire) Ltd.
Where does it operate?: Commercial routes 223 (Wakefield-South Elmsall via Hemsworth) half-hourly Monday to Saturday and 249 (Pontefract- Upton via Hemsworth) hourly weekdays. Four buses work Metro’s Accessbus services, including Wednesday/ Saturday 4…
