Our Story: A Family Legacy Since 1959

Our journey began in 1959, when founder Phil Haines was asked to choose between working solely for his employer or striking out on his own. For Phil, the decision was easy — and it became the starting point of a lifelong family business.

In the early days, Phil bought and sold cars, offered mechanic services, and was even known for delivering school dinners to local schools. Before long, he expanded into buying and selling vans and laying the foundations of what would become the self-drive hire business. Alongside him was his wife Flo, quietly keeping the wheels turning by managing the office and supporting the growing venture.

The 1960s–1980s: Building the Fleet

As the sixties arrived, Phil purchased his first minibus — a moment that sparked a new direction for the business. By the 1970s, he had grown the fleet to four or five minibuses, just as his son Nigel left school and joined the family business.

Through the 1980s, Phil and Nigel worked closely together on small contracts and school transport. In 1982, Nigel purchased the company’s first coach, a 45-seater Bedford, ensuring the business could meet a wider range of customer needs.

Nigel continued to expand the business, adding an MOT lane, buying and selling cars, running coaches, and developing the van hire operation.

 

 

 

A New Generation Steps In

Growing up beside the depot, Phil’s grandson Ben developed an early love for coaches. After gaining experience with Scania, he joined the family business at age 20 as a coach mechanic. Nigel and Ben formed a strong team: Nigel overseeing bookings, sales, van hire and MOTs, while Ben maintained the fleet and ensured every coach was comfortable and customer-ready.

Together, they continued to grow the coach fleet and provide reliable school transport and private hire services.

Focusing on the Future

In 2018, the team launched their first tour programme, featuring three holidays and fifteen day excursions. The success of this new venture fuelled exciting plans for 2020 — but everything changed with the global pandemic.

During this challenging time, the family worked tirelessly to ensure the business survived. After more than 30 years at the helm, Nigel chose to take a step back, realising it was time to slow down.

Ben stepped forward to lead, joined in the office by his wife Gemma, and together they began steering the company into its next chapter.

Today, Ben and Gemma have expanded the tour programme from just 3 holidays in 2018 to 32 planned for 2026, while continuing to provide dependable service to local schools and private groups. The fleet has also grown significantly, now standing proudly at 17 vehicles.

A Family Tradition

Over the last 65 years, one thing has never changed: our commitment to family. To honour this heritage, Ben and Nigel began naming each new coach. The tradition started in 2017 with Ella Rose, named after Ben’s first daughter and Nigel’s first granddaughter. Every new vehicle since has carried a family name — including all seven grandchildren, Grandma Flo, and Frances Jayne.

Our newest addition proudly bears the name Sir Phil, a tribute to the man who started it all and built the foundations of our success.

Our Promise

Our customers have always been — and will always be — at the heart of our business. Along with our drivers and our dedicated team, you are part of the Phil Haines family. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and proud of how far we’ve come together.

Here’s to the journey — and to many more miles ahead.