No sooner had we mentioned the 43 'really good' new buses for Derby-based trent barton, than their managing director, Brian King, announced his intention to step-down.
He will assume the role of company chairman, which will see the current director of Service Delivery, Jeff Counsell, take his place at the very top.
Mr King is one of the few managing directors who's remained at the top of his company since it emerged from privatisation in 1986, which three years later became part of the Welglade Group, initially comprising Barton of Notts, and latterly Kinchbus of Leicester.
There had been recent speculation that his impending retirement could see, what is regarded as one of the best bus operators in the country, pass into the hands of one of the major three groups who would impose their corporate livery to the Welglade fleet.
As trent barton themselves state "We are not part of the large groups like Stagecoach, Arriva and First that dominate the bus industry. We are owned, managed and staffed by local people, and we believe that we can offer a more personal service than our much larger rivals."
The wolves have been kept from the door for now at least.
