Uno Buses Route S4 - History

History

Uno, whose legal title is Universitybus Limited, was set up as an 'arms length' company by the University of Hertfordshire in 1992. It has its own Board of Directors and is expected to run on a fully commercial basis.

In 2005 it was re-branded "Uno" and the buses were painted in pink and purple, a departure from the previous black and white colour scheme. According to the University's student newspaper "Universe", the reason for the re-branding "is to have a name that reflects the wider market the buses serve in the community, basically not just for the inhabitants of the University of Hertfordshire".

Shortly after buying the St Albans operations of Centrebus (Holdings), UNO helped to found a voluntary partnership of local authorities, the university and the bus and rail operators serving the city with the aim of co-ordinating and improving public transport across St Albans. The partnership uses powers under the most recent Transport Act as a Quality Network Partnership (QNP) but will be known publicly as 'Network St Albans'. Uno is now the second largest bus operator in Hertfordshire.

On 20 April 2009 Uno recast many of its services to integrate a number of the former Centrebus routes. Further changes occurred from 28 September 2009, following the opening of the new University Of Hertfordshire Forum. These changes included significant improvements to late evening services and the extension of operating hours until as late as 3:30 am on some routes. The main timetable change each year takes place in September to coincide with the start of the school, college and university academic year.

In September 2012 Uno commenced operating in Northampton, initially taking over routes 18 and 19, both of which serve The University of Northampton.