Buses of Shropshire and Mid Wales

Two large bus companies once ruled this rural part of the United Kingdom. Midland Red had the territory around Shrewsbury and Eastern Shropshire, while Crosville operated from Oswestry to Aberystwyth and all the places in between. Prior to privatisation both companies were split, with Midland Red North and Crosville Wales taking over. These eventually became part of British Bus and were later incorporated into Deutsche Bahn-owned Arriva.

Despite the domination of the big boys, there has always been room for the independent sector and even today a good number of small firms running bus services can be found. Minsterley Motors, Owen’s Coaches, Lloyd’s of Machynlleth and Tanat Valley are just a few of the present-day operators. Names from the past include Vagg’s Coaches, Mid Wales Motorways and Williamsons, plus a host of others.

John Law has been photographing the buses of the area since the early 1970s and has built up a vast collection, the best and most interesting of which are included here. He takes us to Llanrhaedr-yn-Mochnant, Bishops Castle, Knockin Heath and Stiperstones, as well as the major towns on his journey through this fascinating area.