Biology:Hallmark Connections

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Hallmark is a trading name of Hallmark Connections Limited.[1] Hallmark is a luxury coach and corporate cars business, which is part of the Rotala group. It is based in the West Midlands and also has a depot at Heathrow Airport.

History

Flights Hallmark was established, in 1913 in its current home of Birmingham.[2] Over the years it has developed in the coach industry, and as at March 2008 operated over 172 buses and coaches and 51 cars.[3] The company was purchased by Rotala in August 2005.[4]

Rotala

A Scania K230UB bus in Surrey in 2017

Flights Hallmark bought the Surrey Connect business, which became part of Rotala shortly afterwards. It sold Surrey Connect to Wiltax in June 2007. Hallmark operates bus route 458 in Surrey, which links Kingston-upon-Thames and Staines-upon-Thames.

The Flights Hallmark's Avonmouth and Keynsham depots have since closed due to Wessex Bus pulling out of Bristol, these depots have consequently been taken over by Stagecoach South West in mid to late 2018[5]

Current operations

A Bova-bodied coach in 2009

The company currently runs buses and coaches from a number of depots in various parts of England. These services include shuttle bus services, airline or crew transfers, private hires, tours, and VIP services such as providing coaches for football teams. Clients include: Aston Villa, Burton Albion, Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, Walsall and West Bromwich football clubs Worcester Warriors rugby club.[6]

The chauffeur driven cars division of the business is Flights Corporate Transfers. This is usually airport transfer work.

The company also operates 8 bus routes around Surrey and South West London, 4 of which primarily serve schools and the Royal Holloway University and another one which serves Whitley Village.

As of 6th July 2020 Hallmark will operate the 250 service between Oxford and Bicester via Hampton Poyle, Bletchingdon, Kirtlington and The Heyfords. This service was operated by the Oxford Bus Company.

Former operations

A Hallmark coach in National Express Coaches livery in 2013

In 2011 Flights Hallmark became a National Express Coaches contractor.[7] These services have since ceased.

References

External links