Parent | FirstGroup |
---|---|
Founded | 1993 |
Defunct | 14 September 2013 |
Headquarters | Northampton |
Service area |
Northampton Kingsthorpe Rectory Farm Thorplands |
Service type | Bus services |
Hubs | Greyfriars Bus Station |
Depots | 1 |
Fleet | 38 (March 2013) |
Operator | First Midlands |
Website | www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northampton |
First Northampton was a bus company in Northampton. It was a subsidiary of FirstGroup and part of the First Midlands division. It ceased operating on 14 September 2013.
First Northampton was originally a municipal bus company, owned and operated by Northampton Borough Council. In 1993 the council sold the company to the GRT Group, who in April 1995 became part of FirstGroup.
During July 2013 it was announced via Northamptonshire County Council's website that route 4 would be withdrawn on 11 August. It was also later announced that the remaining services would be withdrawn on 14 September 2013.
First Northampton operated a small fleet of Wright Solars but during a fleet reshuffle within First Midlands during May 2012 they were replaced by older Wright Axcess-Ultralows bodied Scania L94UBs and Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L113CRLs, which were transferred from First Norwich. Additionally, a small number of Alexander RH bodied Volvo Citybuses inherited Northampton Transport remained, as well as two Wright Eclipse Geminis which later moved to First Leicester.
Following the withdrawal of a number of services during June 2013, some vehicles were transferred to other FirstGroup operations. Following further reductions in services during August 2013 a number of older vehicles including the three remaining Volvo Citybuses followed. At the time of the final services being withdrawn the fleet consisted of nine Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L113CRLs.