Based: Head office and depot — Royd Moor Farm, Badsworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Website: www.watersonbusandcoach.co.uk
Founded: 1964 by Ronald (Senior) and Sheila Waterson, when pit contracts were taken on. Waterson’s ran newsagents in Hemsworth, delivered milk and sold groceries. Coach and minicoach fleet grew to around a dozen, operating from depot in Highfield Road, Hemsworth. First new coach, DAF SB2300/Plaxton Paramount C790 MVH, purchased 1985. Second new coach, Mercedes-Benz Atego/Ferqui Solera M50 RSW, registered 2003 to celebrate the couple’s golden wedding.
Moved to current depot off Hemsworth bypass 2009, but shop still in Highfield Road. Travel offices in Crosshills (Hemsworth) and Featherstone. Sons Ron (Junior) and John became directors 2017. Ronald (Senior) and Sheila died 2019 and 2018 respectively.
Ron (Junior) started running buses 2014 after Redline Buses of Barnsley ceased trading, with Barnsley-Grimethorpe route. Added fifth route (Pontefract-Upton) January 2020 when BL Travel ceased trading.
Where does it operate: Seven-vehicle network of five daily routes across West and South Yorkshire connects villages with Barnsley, Doncaster, Pontefract, Wombw…