Western National
| Company type | Private (formerly state-owned) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bus transportation |
| Predecessor | National Omnibus & Transport Company, Great Western Railway (bus operations) |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Fate | Divided and privatised in the 1980s; merged into FirstGroup in 1995 |
| Headquarters | Exeter , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | South West England (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire) |
| Parent | British Transport Commission (1948–1963), Transport Holding Company (1963–1969), National Bus Company (1969–1983) |
Western National—initially known as the Western National Omnibus Company—provided bus transportation services across South West England from its establishment in 1929 until the 1990s.
Early history
Formed in 1929, the Western National Omnibus Company emerged as a joint venture between the Great Western Railway (GWR) and the National Omnibus & Transport Company. The latter began operations in 1909 under the name National Steam Car Company, delivering steam-powered bus services in London until it rebranded in 1919. Over time, it expanded its reach beyond London to areas including Essex (1913), Bedfordshire (1919), Gloucestershire (1919), Somerset (1920), Dorset (1921), and finally Devon and Cornwall in 1927.
The extensive bus networks managed by GWR in Devon and Cornwall, alongside National Omnibus's activities within those counties, were consolidated under Western National. Soon after, the company also took over National’s routes in south west Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, as well as GWR’s services near Trowbridge and Stroud. This expansion resulted in an operational footprint stretching from Cheltenham to Penzance, segmented into five distinct divisions: Gloucestershire (Stroud), Wiltshire (Trowbridge), south and west Somerset (Taunton), south Devon (Plymouth), and Cornwall. Western National’s service area intersected with other operators such as Bristol in south Gloucestershire and northern Somerset, Southern National covering northern Devon and Cornwall, and Devon General operating in south and east Devon.
In 1931, control of National Omnibus was acquired by the Tilling Group. Subsequently, Western National functioned as a Tilling subsidiary while GWR maintained its shareholding until 1948. Despite neither company having depots there, Western National and Southern National shared administrative management based in Exeter.
By late 1934, Western National and Southern National jointly purchased Royal Blue Coach Services.
Nationalisation
Following the nationalisation of Great Western Railway on 1 January 1948, the Tilling Group divested its bus interests to the government shortly thereafter. Consequently, Western National became a state-owned entity under the British Transport Commission.
This transition prompted operational streamlining: in 1950, services in Gloucestershire were transferred to Bristol Tramways.
On 1 January 1963, ownership of Western National’s assets passed from the British Transport Commission to the state-run Transport Holding Company, and subsequently moved under the umbrella of the National Bus Company (NBC) on 1 January 1969.
NBC implemented further consolidation measures affecting Western National. In 1969, Southern National was merged into Western National, extending its service coverage into north Cornwall, north Devon, and Dorset. The following year saw Wiltshire operations transferred to Bristol Omnibus Company. In 1971, operations of Devon General were absorbed by Western National but maintained as a distinct brand. That same year, Western National withdrew from north Cornwall, ceding that area to local operators. Additionally, in 1974, former Southern National routes around Swanage were reassigned to Hants & Dorset.
Privatisation
In preparation for deregulation, January 1983 marked the division of Western National into four separate companies:
- Devon General Limited serving southern and eastern Devon
- North Devon Limited operating as Red Bus within North Devon
- Southern National Limited covering Somerset and Dorset
- Western National Limited managing services in Cornwall and Plymouth
On 19 August 1986, Devon General became the first NBC subsidiary to be privatised under the provisions of the Transport Act 1985, through a management buyout led by managing director Harry Blundred. It was later acquired by Stagecoach in 1996 and rebranded as Stagecoach Devon in 2003.
Western National was sold on 7 August 1987 to Plympton Coachlines, with initial shareholding by Badgerline at 39%, which increased to 66% by August 1988. In June 1995, Western National became part of Badgerline’s merger with GRT Group, resulting in the formation of FirstBus.
Management purchased North Devon and Southern National jointly on 29 March 1988. Both companies were later acquired by FirstGroup on 4 April 1999. Following this acquisition, Southern National was split: Dorset operations integrated into First Hampshire & Dorset, while Somerset routes joined First Somerset & Avon. North Devon merged with First Western National to create First Devon & Cornwall.
See also
Further reading
- Anderson, R. C. & Frankis, G. G. A. (1979) A History of Western National. Newton Abbot: David and Charles
- Morris, C. (2008) Western National Omnibus Company. Ian Allan