 | |
.jpg) | |
| Parent | JN Baker ltd |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Weston-super-Mare |
| Service type | Bus & coach services |
| Chief executive | Max Fletcher |
| Website | www.bakersdolphin.com |
Bakers Dolphin[1] is the trading name of Baker's Coaches, a bus and coach company based inWeston-super-Mare.
_1986-11-23.jpg)
.jpg)
In 1889, Charles Baker established a business with a pony chair for hire inWeston-super-Mare. The business expanded and in the early 1900s, Baker won a contract from theRoyal Mail to deliver mail to theCheddar Valley. Horses and carriages were also provided to funeral directors. With the outbreak ofWorld War I, most of Baker's horses were commandeered by theBritish Army.[2]
In 1923, two motor coaches and began operating leisure trips. By the beginning ofWorld War II the fleet had grown to 12. During the war, Bakers operated services transporting aircrews for British Empire Airways. By 1945, the fleet had grown to 30. With the end of the war, Bakers began operating day tours from Weston-super-Mare.[2]
In 1952, the Weston-super-Mare branch ofBristol's largest operator Wessex Coaches, was purchased. With the opening of Britain'smotorway network in the 1960s, Bakers expanded its tour operations.[2]
In 1981, Bakers purchased the business of Wems Coaches, its largest competitor in theWest Country, the combined fleet totaled 77 vehicles. In November 1984, Bakers merged with travel company Dolphin Travel, with the business rebranded Bakers Dolphin Travel with 100 shops. In 1998, the travel business was sold toFirst Choice Holidays.[2][3] Following an inquiry into a large number prosecutions fortachograph offences, the Traffic Commissioner temporarily reduced the operating licence from 85 to 75 vehicles in 2013.[4]
In 2008, Bakers Dolphin opened a high street store in Weston-super-Mare, followed in 2014 by another inBristolBroadmead.[5][6][7]
Bakers Dolphin previously operated public bus routes but now only run school bus services inSomerset.[8] Until August 2013, Bakers Dolphin operated a service to London under theLondon Flyer banner.[2][9]
Media related toBakers Dolphin at Wikimedia CommonsBus operators inSouth West England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bristol |  | |
| Cornwall | ||
| Devon | ||
| Dorset | ||
| Gloucestershire |
| |
| Somerset | ||
| Wiltshire | ||
| National | ||