Pioneer has always been a smaller coach operator, however since the mergers and takeovers
which created Tantivy Blue Coach Tours, Pioneer seems to have expanded
considerably, possibly as the companies which used to be competing against Tantivy are now under
the same ownership and combining operations have allowed rationalisation.
Certainly the coach fleet is about twice the size it was before.
Pioneer's owner has made it clear that he would like the opportunity for the company to be
able to operate bus routes as well, although the odds look stacked against it owing to the size
of JMT and the licensing legislation which is geared to suit a monopoly
operator. Competition may be beneficial in terms of fare cuts and new services, although some
winter services are barely profitable. However, the intention is backed up by a growing number
of buses in stock, as opposed to coaches.
Pioneer's coaches have always been white and
black.
Some of the secondhand acquisitions have been left in more or less overall white however, while
others have been left largely in the livery of the previous owner.
There has been some experimentation with various applications of black and different fleetname
styles lately. An upswept black front is the most recent change and the first new Cannon coach
materialised with the black front and a grey skirt.
1990 -
Bedford was standard like all other fleets.
Most Duple-bodied, two with Wadham Stringer bodies, one like the pair with Holiday Tours, the
other a rare (unique?) combination of Bedford SB chassis with the later
Vanguard II style.
Pair of Leyland Swifts bought new, first one very early example.
Mercedes/Reeve Burgess coach in fleet too, first example of a type rare as a PSV in Jersey.
Minibuses: Volkswagen and Bedford CF2/Reebur.
1994 -
Fleet now includes, significantly, ex-Lancaster Leyland PD2. Arouses
interest being only double-deck PSV in Jersey at the time, criticism too from some as it was
bought out of preservation and converted to open-top.
Also first (still relatively new) secondhand Leyland Swifts to be brought over from UK arrive.
Former London Transport RT4045 is acquired, in a poor state and little
work done since.
1996 -
Several more Swifts acquired from England including the only example of Reeve
Burgess Harrier coachwork on the Island - too wide at 8ft but operation reluctantly
permitted due to lift and capacity for wheelchairs. All others with Vanguard II bodywork.
First Toyota/Caetano Optimo in Jersey appears.
1999 -
Looks like being first fleet to clear out Bedford SB from stock. Interesting arrivals are two
Cannon Hilines with Leicester Carriage Builders
"Islander" coachwork; chassis is similar to the discontinued Swift with mid-mounted Cummins
engine and Allison autobox in the case of Pioneer's examples. First example is first coach in
Jersey with air conditioning, second example appeared at ExpoCoach 98. Further ex-UK Swifts
obtained along with second Optimo and, worryingly, a Renault-Dodge minibus in a rather off cream colour and "Pioneer Bus" fleetnames in large letters on the sides.
MetroRider in fleet by Easter 1999, more acceptable than converted
trucks at least.
Autumn 2000 -
Local press reports that Pioneer has sold out to Tantivy Blue Coach Tours, the reasons being the strains put on the business by local employment regulations and the apparent reluctance of the government to allow another operator to provide bus services.
Pioneer has an information web page with some basic company details.
Fleet Livery
Vehicles
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