THREE bus routes funded by BCP Council will be run by a Hampshire-based company which recently acquired Yellow Coaches.

The 18, 33 and 36 services, which were operated by Yellow Buses up until the firm ceaseed operations last week, have been awarded to the brand owned by Xelabus.

As reported, Morebus stepped in to run these routes on an initial temporary basis last week.

However, the Poole-based operator since confirmed the council had decided to award an emergency tender to another firm.

Responding to questions from the Daily Echo, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “Following a tendering process, Yellow Coaches will be operating three routes (numbers 18, 33 and 36) on behalf of BCP Council from Monday, August 15. We are very grateful to Morebus who stepped in to run these three routes on a temporary basis since August 6.

“This was to enable a tendering process to take place and following this Yellow Coaches have been appointed to operate the three services from August 15 for the next six months.

"The operator was chosen as they offered best value for the Council. Timetables for all three services are unchanged. Yellow Coaches is separate to Yellow Buses and is now owned by Hampshire-based Xela Bus.

“These three services are highly valued by the local community. For many residents they are the only bus available for essential trips to the shops, hospital and medical appointments, plus are well used by school children and students too.

“The council therefore provides funding to keep these buses on the road and we are pleased that Yellow Coaches will now be operating the three routes on our behalf.”

The 18 serves Broadstone, Waterloo Estate, Canford Heath, Foxholes Estate, Sea View, Upper Parkstone, Westbourne and Bournemouth.

The 33 serves Christchurch,  Southbourne,  Pokesdown, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Queen's Park, Boscombe, East Cliff and Bournemouth.

The 36 serves Kinson, West Howe,  Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus, Glenferness Avenue, Bournemouth, Bourne Valley,  Talbot View Estate.

The services also are used by students travelling to St Edwards School, Parkstone Grammar, Magna Academy, Avonbourne Academy and Bournemouth University.

Gareth Blair, managing director of Yellow Coaches, said “We are delighted to have been awarded these bus services.

"We want to build a strong presence in the local area and look forward to meeting new and existing passengers very soon.

"Passengers will be able to look forward to vouchers offering discounted travel.”