The Man Who Started a Bus Company

by Startacus Admin
You may have heard the term ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’ being flung about the place and wondered to yourself… what's that? Does it actually exist? Or is it just a buzzword the folks on the apprentice use to romanticise the harsh and often brutal mechanics of big business?
If you are looking for a demonstration of true entrepreneurial spirit, Northumberland is the place to be right now. The county is home to a gentleman bus driver named Steve Hurst, who, frustrated with the lack of public transport services within his local community, set up his own bus company to serve the needs of the community; the aptly named Spirit Buses.
The problem was chronic in the valley where Steve grew up. Rural public transport is a notoriously difficult and enormously expensive endeavour and so is usually one of the first things to be trimmed back during lean times. In the end a whole string of local villages and hamlets including Snitter, Alwinton, and Harbottle, were left effectively cut off by the reduction of services, finding themselves completely removed from bus routes.
For those lucky enough to still be catered for, things were hardly much better. The service between the market towns of Rothbury and Alnwick, though just 12 miles apart, would take a ridiculous 2 ½ hours, including a change at Morpeth - that works out at an average speed of just 5 miles per hour.
The big bus companies had zero interest in improving the services of these rural areas, so Steve, weary and frustrated with the shameful services available, decide to take matters into his own hands. Undeterred by the huge logistical and financial challenges that lay in his path, Steve began to hatch a plan that would see a lifelong ambition of running a business matched with his love of, and concern for, his local community.
“It was never going to make me millions. I just wanted to revive the valley and connect all these communities up again.”
He managed to scrape together £60,000 pounds from personal savings and bank loans and as of September 2014, Steve’s small time rural transport enterprise was up and running! Spirit Busses now have 2 vehicles on the road, linking the villages of the valley together once more, and cutting the travel time on the notorious route between Rothbury and Alnwick to a much more proportionate 20 minutes.
What's more, in an unexpected but welcomed accolade, one of Steve’s new bus routes that connects Rothbury with Alwinton and all the villages in between, has recently been named as one of the most scenic bus routes in the country… how’s that for poetry?!
But Steve’s ambitions don’t stop there. Alongside the bus service he has incorporated an informal delivery service that has so far handled some unusual cargo including dogs, cats, bikes and Christmas trees. Come summer time he hopes to be offering guided bus tours of some of the local historical attractions.
Northumberland County Council Steven Bridgett summed it up rather well
“I’m probably going to get in trouble for saying this but I’ll say it anyway: one of the things you tend to get with the bigger bus companies is that as they grow, they forget the little people. Steve provides a tailor-made, personal service. I don’t just salute his entrepreneurial spirit but also his social spirit. It’s not just a business venture for him, but a social service for the Coquetdale valley.”
Well done Steve, you show ‘em how it’s done!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
New research from Corporate Coach Group reveals the UK's most ambitious cities and includes top tips on how to make 2021 your best year ever when it comes to achieving your goals

The accolade this week goes to MyPlasticDiary, an innovative app which will enable you to track, understand and reduce your plastic footprint

The innovative Spanish startup raises major funding to scale its team and help more businesses design smarter automated conversations with customers

The lowdown on the Japanese robotics startup that has created Qoboo, a therapeutic robot in the form of a cushion with a tail

The EverLearner launches a GoFundMe campaign to help disadvantaged children in the UK who are struggling to complete their online learning

10 startups solving challenges the aerospace sector faces are selected for the latest ATI Boeing Accelerator. We took a look at the cohort

Whether you're recruiting for a small tech startup or a large well-established organisation, these tips will help you stay on top of your game

The lowdown on the innovative EdTech app Tappity that's on a mission to help kids learn about science in a way they'll actually enjoy...

AlphaBeats is a startup that's created an innovative way to help us all us fight stress while we unwind listening to our favourite music

Major seed investment secured by the innovative Insurtech startup Nayms to assist with developing further pilot programs and building its customer base
Published on: 14th January 2015
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Where are the UK’s most ambitious people in 2021? 21st Jan 2021 New research from Corporate Coach Group reveals the UK's most ambitious cities and includes top tips on how to make 2021 your best year ever when it comes to achieving your goals
- No-Code Chatbot Builder Landbot Secures $8M Series A 20th Jan 2021 The innovative Spanish startup raises major funding to scale its team and help more businesses design smarter automated conversations with customers
- Supporting disadvantaged children with their online learning 19th Jan 2021 The EverLearner launches a GoFundMe campaign to help disadvantaged children in the UK who are struggling to complete their online learning
- Insurtech startup, Nayms Closes £1.5m seed round 15th Jan 2021 Major seed investment secured by the innovative Insurtech startup Nayms to assist with developing further pilot programs and building its customer base