Cumfybus expansion backed by £400k

MERSEYSIDE and Lancashire bus operator Cumfybus is extending its fleet and expanding into Manchester after securing a £431,000 finance package from Santander Corporate & Commercial.

Southport-based Cumfybus recently secured routes in Bolton and Wigan where it will be operating six buses from a new depot in Bolton where it plans to take on more than 20 staff.

The money will be used to buy three new buses which will free up some of its existing hybrid Optare Solo vehicles to run the new routes alongside hybrid buses provided by Transport for Greater Manchester.

The company was founded in 1986 by husband and wife team, Marshall and Patricia Vickers, after Marshall bought his first vehicle to serve nursing homes in the area. Their daughter Penny now manages the day-to-day running of the business.

She said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to expand the business into the Manchester region. We have spent the last 18 months consolidating our Merseyside operations into our Aintree site, which has helped to free-up capital and resource to invest further in our expansion as we look to grow the business.

“Our business model is focused on providing a customer-focused service and ensuring our fleet remains environmentally friendly – a model that is helping us to compete and thrive in our market place.”

Neil Tweedle, relationship director at Santander, said: “It’s fantastic to have been able to support Cumfybus with this latest development. It’s great to work with long-term customers as they grow, develop and diversify their businesses, and I know that with Penny’s experience in both the business and the sector, she and the team will be well-placed to take advantage of the new opportunities this will open up for them. I look forward to seeing where this new venture takes them.”