2012 – Issue 2 of 4

In 1991 a further site at Llandow was rented at Unit 12 Llandow Industrial Estate.
In September 1991 the struggling National Welsh withdrew most B9 evening and Sunday
services. The County Council considered these services sociably desirable and Golden
Coaches were successful in tendering which coincided with the granting of two extra
operating discs.
Although losing heavily, National Welsh were still fielding their 350 ‘Battlebus’ on
Saturdays, though Golden were on the ball by using crew buses at busy times and having
a ‘dup’ at Llantwit terminus taking fares and transferring passengers on to the service bus
when it arrived.
Following the failure of National Welsh, ‘Golden’ won certain X2 & V3 services
supported by the local authority, as well as services to Bridgend via Southerndown.
They held on to the support of Vale bus users, increased maybe by the psychological
ploy of using some former National drivers and buses in their original livery. Most of
these vehicles were later painted dark red with yellow waistband and wheels.
Former N/Welsh Sherpa E117 RAX at Cowbridge Town Hall in March 1993.
(V.C.)
In February 1993, a new company, Glamorgan Bus Ltd., was registered by the directors
of Golden Coaches to facilitate possible expansion in the Barry area, but it was to remain
a dormant company until more recent years.
In September 1993 vehicle allocation was increased to 13 buses, but using elderly buses
on a tight timetable was courting trouble. Soon there were maintenance problems.
In September 1994 negotiations were completed to use a larger yard at 25 Tumulus
Way, Llandow Trading Estate. This replaced the two former premises.
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