Preston Bus has been sold by Stagecoach to Rotala for just over £3m. It has been said the Preston Bus identity and staff will be retained, although that must have some caveats. Preston Bus now has 85 buses and 240 staff with their garage in Deepdale Road.
Birmingham based Rotala are an Alternative Investment Market (AIM) listed company who operate a number of bus fleets in Birmingham, Bristol and around London. Rotala shares are at 28p. The Chairman of Rotala is John Rudd who is a venture capitalist and enjoys developing businesses. He views the bus industry as 5 large players and one small one, Rotala, and seems to see it as a challenge. Let’s hope Preston is the first of others in this area and that Preston becomes a regional Rotala hub.