Premier Travel Ltd. was founded on January the 1st, 1936 by three undergraduates from Cambridge University, and with the combination of three operators, Undergraduate Roadways, Harston & District and Royal Blue Cambridge. They originally operated on a "permit-to-hire" basis, placing private hire contracts with local bus and coach companies. This company grew to be one of the most respected and well known travel companies in the country. Premier developed a wide range of travel agencies and even, for a while, Premier Airways. The Premier Travel Agency was also started by Premier Travel Ltd. many years ago, as was most of the current express coachwork across East Anglia.
After 52 years of independent enterprise, in the year of 1988, the company was passed into the ownership of AJS Holdings, and then, on 20th May 1990, to Cambus Holdings. Premier Travel Ltd. was split to form two companies, Cambridge Coach Services, a separate and new company, and Premier Travel Services, which was owned and operated by Cambus. Cambridge Coach Services kept 44% of Premier's express mileage, and also the remaining excursion & tour programme for 1990. They also used Premier's silver and blue livery.
So the new Premier Travel Services adopted a new livery, a very smart looking two tone blue and grey on a white base, inspired by Viscount Bus & Coach. They concentrated on private hire and contract work, operating a fleet largely dominated by Volvo B10Ms with Plaxton coachwork. However, following the takeover of Cambus by Stagecoach in December of 1995, Premier yet again changed ownership. This time their livery was the three Stagecoach stripes, with Premier lettering. And finally, in 1998 the Premier business was sold to Burtons Coaches of Haverhill, who own it to this day. The PREMIER TRAVEL TRUST looks back at Premier, giving a historical selection of photos and nostalgia.
Use the buttons below to work your way around the site.
fleet list
complete
fleet list, 1936 - 1998
VER 262L
information
about the preserved AEC Reliance at the Oxford Bus Museum
resources
logos, fleet
lists to download, timetable & ticket infomation
where are they now?
Locations of
ex-Premier Travel vehicles
Please fill in the form below if you have any comments. Images and information are always welcome too, please send to ptsremembered@talk21.com
Site established 27th November, 2001. Last updated 19th January, 2007.
� Premier Travel Trust