A Birmingham bus company is expanding its fleet with three new vehicles following undisclosed funding from Santander Corporate Banking.
The Green Bus, based in Hockley, was formed in 2005 from the school bus business of King Edward VI Five Ways School.
Ian Mack, a teacher at the school, set up the business by mapping the location of pupils and designing bus services to bring them to school, paid for by parents.
Mr Mack acquired the company’s first bus and left his teaching career in 2007 to run the company full time.
It now operates 35 buses in the West Midlands, for school services and on local bus routes, as well as offering a double-deck private hire service and providing bus services for Aston Villa and Birmingham City.
More recently The Green Bus has set up services in Reading and Guildford and is looking to grow the business beyond these areas.
Mr Mack, managing director of The Green Bus, said: “This funding package from Santander will help support the next stage of our development with the purchase of three new buses.
“This will help us take advantage of the opportunities to grow the business within the West Midlands.”
Andy Ball, relationship director at Santander Corporate Banking, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support The Green Bus with the new expansion of their fleet.
“Ian and his management team provide a great and secure service for families and I believe they are well placed to achieve their aim of removing the school run from the roads.”
