Bus company Rotala picks up rival’s contract in £600,000 deal

Bus and coach operator Rotala has picked up new business after reaching an agreement with one of its West Midlands rivals.

The Sandwell-based operator’s subsidiary, Diamond Bus Ltd, has agreed a deal with Arriva Midlands North to take on the majority of its Arriva Wednesfield operation.

The deal, which could be worth £600,000, will see Diamond accept, with effect from April 23, nine vehicles from Arriva Wednesfield together with the Transport for West Midlands contracts currently licenced to Arriva.

TfWM, the transport arm of the West Midlands Combined Authority, has consented to the novation of the underlying subsidised bus contracts. The contracts all expire on October 21 this year and the estimated revenue for the remaining six months of the contract is £600,000.

Arriva will retain operation of the 10 A/B and the 335 services, which will transfer to other Arriva depots in the Midlands, and the staff to operate them.

Rotala said Diamond would offer employment to every other member of Arriva Wednesfield staff.