Travel firm takes over valleys buses

South Wales-based coach firm, Shamrock Travel, was bought by international travel company, Veolia Transport, in a multi-million pound transaction last September 2006.

Shamrock Travel was formed by Pontypidd couple, Clayton and Alison Jones, thirty years ago. It has since become one of the leading coach service provide rs in the British Isles. Starting with only one coach, the business has grown into a transportation giant, and now has two hundred twenty nine vehicle units.

Veolia Transport announced its plan to maintain Shamrock’s current three hundred staff.

Veolia already owns two other south Wales-based coach companies Bebb Travel and Pullman Coaches.

Shamrock’s taking symbolised Veolia’s hold on Wales’ coach services. The company’s employee roster now numbered one thousand and it now has about five hundred buses.

The purchase contract stipulates that Veolia Transport UK will assume control of two hundred twenty nine vehicles and three hundred employees at operating hubs in Swansea, Abercynon, Newport and Barry.

The rest of the staff will be deployed to a new company called Shamrock Travel UK Limited.

Veolia also announced that the two Shamrock founders will no longer be involved in the new business.

The other half of the Shamrock founders, Clayton Jones released a press statement that showed his happiness in pushing for the acquisition of Shamrock by Veolia.

The Chair of Veolia Transport UK, John O’Brien on the other hand is optimistic that the deal will bring forward a stronger presence in Wales and compliment its existing businesses.