Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel

Joan Johnson's BBC News Retirement Story

Mrs Johnson Hangs up Her Clipboard at the age of 80!

From her first tour to Fort William to her last in Llandudno, Joan Johnson has travelled the length and breadth of Britain, but now after 60 years it’s finally time to hang up her clipboard.

Joining the business in 1956, when the firm was only operating 3 coaches, a furniture removal lorry and a taxi, Joan juggled bringing up her 5 children with office work and coach driving, becoming one of the first female coach drivers in the UK.

Her career as a holiday courier started in 1981 when she and her son John operated the company’s first inclusive tour. Since then she has escorted more than 350 tours to places all over the UK, Europe and the world. With Joan Johnsons as their courier, passengers know to expect “service with a smile, even if things go a bit wrong!”

Since then Joan, has watched the business develop from strength to strength; it has won many coach industry awards; it celebrated 100 years in business in 2009 and now it’s well known blue, yellow and white livery on its buses and coaches can be seen near and far – from Stratford-on-Avon to Switzerland!

Joan also adds “I have enjoyed every minute of it and will miss working with our friendly drivers, lovely customers all the friends I have made over the years”.

John Johnson, Joan’s son and fellow director added “Mum’s probably done an average of just about 10 tours a year for the last 35 years, so that must be about 350 tours! And to just about everywhere in Britain and Europe and many places worldwide too. Mum has always been available to help at short notice too, so she may need her clipboard again at some time!”

Joan will be missed by all of the many customers that she has escorted on holidays, and by the whole team here at Johnsons! Happy Retirement Joan!

Johnsons Coaches Christmas Departures

Every year we wave good bye to our customers as they set of on their journey to their Christmas Destination! We lay on mulled wine, biscuits and other hot drinks and this year we decided to bring Santa Claus along to make sure all our customers have definitely been good this year!

Johnsons Invest in 4 Volvo Plaxton Panthers

Johnsons Coach Travel of Henley-in-Arden welcomed four new coaches to their fleet this month taking their new vehicle investment programme to over £1.5 million in the last 12 months.

The award winning coach operator’s latest new coach investment includes four brand new coaches, all built in Britain. They have Plaxton bodies, built in Scarborough and are mounted on Volvo chassis. The new vehicles will support the extensive programme of holidays, excursions and private hires operated by Johnsons throughout the year and are in addition to two new 63 seat coaches bought in March.

John Johnsons, Commercial Director of Johnsons said: “We are delighted to be buying British – these are the first for a long time. We’ve been impressed with the service and quality standards and we know our customers will like them too”.

He added: “These coaches also have the very latest environmental and safety features – they have Euro6 standard engines, which meet the most stringent European exhaust emission requirements. They also have the latest safety features including automatic land position and distance control.”

Johnsons Coaches Optare Tempo X1200 YJ57 EGU - Country Bash

Today we take a ride on one of Johnsons' many Tempos on the 3 from Meon Vale to Millfield Close while running towards Lower Quinton. Originally this Tempo was new as a demonstrator for Optare. It spent time with a fair few different operators before eventually being sold to Johnsons of Henley-in-Arden where it joined other examples of the vehicle type. I personally like Tempos, but am not too much of a fan of the Tempo SR. Thanks for taking the time to watch. Feel free to subscribe to stay upto date with when I upload!

Renown Group of Bexhill-On-Sea Fleet No.49 LR02BBV

Renown Group of Bexhill-On-Sea Fleet No.49 LR02 BBV.
A Dennis Trident 2 with Plaxton President bodywork that was new to Metroline as Fleet No.TPL281.
It is seen here operating route 95 in Battle High Street, East Sussex. Date: 08.07.2015 10:23

Preserved Midland Red North Leyland Olympian 1918 (G918 LHA)

Please watch: Transdev Harrogate Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini II 3613 (BF62 UXZ)

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Read Description Tells you About the bus... This was Filmed on Sunday 16th May 2016 Hope you like and subscribe Anyone publishing, Reusing or Copying this video will be Reported to Youtube


Operator: Midland Red

Engine Chassis: Leyland Olympian

Fleet Number: 1918

Registration Plate: (G918 LHA)