Brigdale Coaches is top of the class!
27/03/2024
Brigdale Coaches is the best in the business when it comes to school transport, a fact underlined by its success at the 2024 Fleet Bus & Coach Awards which were held at the Johnstown Estate Hotel in Enfield, Co. Meath on November 16 last.
The Clarecastle, Co. Clare-based third generation bus and coach hire business was delighted to win the coveted School Bus Operator Award for its outstanding work on behalf of Bus Éireann. Also shortlisted for Bus Operator Award – More than 10 Vehicles, Brigdale Coaches caters for all your travel requirements and is committed to providing a reliable, enjoyable and safe travel experience.
“We were both surprised and delighted to receive the Award,” operations manager Cian Crimmins enthuses.
“It’s all down to the drivers who go above and beyond to give the best possible service. With school transport, it’s all about flexibility and being able to adapt. This is something our drivers are very good at. We’ve been working for Bus Éireann for 30 years and have built up a strong relationship with them in that time. We give them the best service we possibly can.”
School transport accounts for the majority of Brigdale Coaches’ business. The company has over 20 school transport contracts with Bus Éireann in the Clarecastle, Ennis and Shannon areas. It also specialises in private hire, social outings, corporate travel, weddings, school tours, team transfers, day / evening trips and bus tours of Ireland.
From humble beginnings in 1977 when managing director Eddie Brigdale – who is still going strong at 86 – started out with a Bedford minibus, Brigdale Coaches has grown to run a fleet of 30 vehicles ranging in size from 14 to 54-seat, including a selection of wheelchair accessible minibuses. The business employs 18 full-time and part-time drivers.
“It’s a real family affair,” Cian notes.
“Eddie, who is my grandfather, founded the business over 45 years ago and has since been joined by several family members. His son Shane is transport manager, while my father Julian and mother Ann-Marie Crimmins are drivers. Shane Óg Brigdale, who is Shane’s son, is in the workshop and is also driving.
“In addition, my brothers Ruairí and Daragh are also drivers. This is my mother and Ruairí’s first year to do school runs and they have been a fantastic addition to the team. It’s great to have people you can depend on, especially at a time when bus drivers are hard to come by.”
Brigdale Coaches is committed to providing its passengers with the highest safety standards, with each coach fitted with seat belts and the latest safety features. All drivers are fully trained, courteous and professional in every aspect of their job. They undergo regular training in driving practice and health & safety.
The company’s executive coaches offer air conditioning, WIFI, audio/video facilities, WC facilities and comfortable reclining seats with ample leg room. Constantly reinvesting and replenishing its fleet, Brigdale Coaches took delivery of a new 29-seat DAF Turas from Noone Turas in Maynooth and a new 37-seat Yutong from Central Bus & Coach in Longford in 2023. The Turas boasts dash fridge, USB connections, carbon fibre finished dash and steering wheel, and is finished in a beautiful metallic carbon black.
The rest of the fleet is made up of Scania, Volvo, Mercedes Sprinters and Tourismos as well as Ford Transits.
There is no such thing as downtime thanks to Brigdale Coaches' expert maintenance team who carry out servicing, repairs and 12-week inspection checks in its state-of-the-art workshop. “Our senior mechanic is Eamon Glenny who specialises in Mercedes and previously worked with Bus Éireann. He keeps everything running smoothly,” Cian adds.
2023 was the first year that Brigdale Coaches organised its own tours around Ireland. “We organised four or five tours which went well for us. The tour packages were put together by our guides and drivers. It’s something we’ll be looking to get into more in the coming years.”
A company that is clearly going places, Bridgale Coaches offers the very best service at exceptional prices. The family-run business is extremely proud of its enviable reputation which is due in no small part to its people, who are its greatest asset. Bridgale Coaches’ drivers have been selected for their professionalism with regard to driving and their ability to interact well with customers.
The maintenance team ensures the fleet is running to the highest safety standards, while the administration staff is always available to discuss your transport requirements. Proud transport partners of 2023 FAI Junior Cup champions Newmarket Celtic, Brigdale Coaches would like to take this opportunity to thank its passengers and suppliers for their continued support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and skill.
Brigdale Coaches
Clarecastle,
Co. Clare.
Telephone: 087 256 2970 / 087 266 1333
Email: [email protected]
First published in Irish Trucker magazine March/April 2024, Vol 27-1
