Peter O’Neill 1944 – 2024
The founder of Kent coach operation The Kings Ferry, Peter O’Neill, has died aged 80. He took the company from one minibus to the area’s most significant operation, with 35 coaches on commuter services alone.
The son of an Irish migrant, Peter’s first encounter with public transport was as a child, selling newspapers to bus passengers in Maidstone, and coach spotting with his friend John Watts around the Kent countryside, including a cycling trip to the UK Coach Rally in Brighton in 1959.
After two factory jobs and running a bread delivery van – during which he sold stockings and denim jeans on the side – Peter found himself jobless in 1968 but had enough money to buy a Dormobile minibus for £70. It was this 11-seater which catapulted him into coaching.
The vehicle that started it all.
His first ‘job’ was carrying the local darts team for £3: “The darts captain told me that they liked using my minibus because the previous driver was always late, was miserable and his bus was dirty. That became a fundamental principle in every bus I ran thereafter; always clean, punctual and cheerful.” It was a pattern which drove the rest of his career forward.
He took his PSV test at Maidstone & District and ran a Trojan three-cylinder 13-seater, with which he provided hires and a home-to-school run. His big break came when he had a chance encounter with Harry Shaw, who ran coaches in the village of Maxey, Lincolnshire, who offered to sell him a 1952 Duple Bedford SB ‘on tick’: “Harry was my fairy godfather. He nursed me through everything from that day onwards,” Peter said in an interview four years ago.
His fledgling company was to be called The Kings Ferry Charter Coach Company, named for the local bridge, but Peter had to use the coach half way through the signwriting, and it became simply The Kings Ferry.
By 1972, his wife, Carol, now having given him a daughter, Vanessa, and son, Steven, he was using his garden at his house in Lidsing as a yard. Now with a new Willowbrook (which was Coach Rally Coach of the Year in 1974) he created a band bus service for rising stars such as Elton John, Eric Clapton and even Pink Floyd. By the time that work ended, Peter had found another premises in Pump Lane near Gillingham, at which The Kings Ferry grew.
The commuter fleet, late 90s at Chatham Dockyard
By 1982, following deregulation, The Kings Ferry had started a commuter service, made a success by the appalling rail service, nicknamed ‘The Misery Line,’ from the Medway towns, which had a fast-growing commuter population. With backing from an investor, Peter bought a fleet of new 22 Berkhof Volvos to enhance the service: “There was a need for it, there was no seasonality, and you got paid on the day, instead of invoicing and waiting for your money.” Indeed, by the time the order was being built, a further eight vehicles were added to it.
The commuter service grew to become more 35 coaches at its. Always an innovator, Peter bought his own radio system so he could co-ordinate his drivers: “I once had a call from the pregnant wife of one of our commuters, saying she was desperate to contact her husband as the happy event had started. I told her to sit tight while I sent a car round to get her to hospital, then radioed ahead to the coach so her husband could get off, and sent my own car out to collect him and take him to the hospital.
“I didn’t charge for this because I knew it had value to the service, through word of mouth and the commuter then got a letter of thanks published in the local paper.”
The commuter service allowed The Kings Ferry to have a fleet of modern coaches stationed in London each morning, improving margins by taking on work in the capital, alongside extensive hire in Kent, and VIP and football club travel, which by the late ’90s The Kings Ferry had built into the biggest fleet of its kind in the country. With Peter’s passion for ‘breaking the mould,’ the fleet included, over the years, Mercedes 0303s, some of the first Irizar Century coaches, and the first Berkhof tri-axle over-decker.
The Travel Centre – the new depot which allowed for expansion
By the the late ’90s, both Vanessa and Steve O’Neill had joined the family business. The Kings Ferry acquired a former bakery site, giving it better workshops and an extensive yard for the growing fleet.
The company established Coach Connections, a brokerage service which shared out work between The Kings Ferry fleet and other, trusted operators. Peter was a strong supporter of trade associations and in particular The Guild of British Coach Operators, which he championed outside and within.
In 2007, The Kings Ferry was sold to the National Express Group, at which point it had 85 vehicles and around £11m turnover.
Peter leaves his wife, Carol, son Steve and daughter Vanessa, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His funeral will be held at Vinters Park Crematorium on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 2pm. The family asks that attendance be notified in advance via web page https://tinyurl.com/27alezoe
Since the announcement, many people have been commenting on Peter’s passing.
Kevin Mayne, Operations Director at Maynes Coaches: ‘Very proud to have met, spent time and got to know your dad; a real gentleman and ambassador for our industry and coaching stalwart. I’m sure for many people like me who looked up to him as a father figure of the industry, I had time to listen to his wisdom and would say his knowledge was so valuable and he was always willing to share and bend an ear. I’m also proud to have known all your family over the years and send our thoughts from our family and company to yours and our condolences at this time.’
Paul Flisher, Private Groups Manager at Ready Tours: ‘So sad to read this news Steve. I remember Peter coming to Asford to cover a school contract for us at Swinards, probably in that very same 12 seater. Your dad did more for the coach industry than anybody I know. Rest in Peace Mr Coachavator. My condolences go to Carol, you and the family.’
Alistair Bayliss,Managing Director, Bayliss Executive Travel: ‘I remember the day I walked in the door as a complete novice to the local area, and what struck me more than anything was the fact that every morning, your father would walk around the office and say good morning to everyone. That has never left me.’
Samuel John, NTOC Control Room Operator for Connect Plus Services: ‘Sorry for your loss, I know I speak for a lot of people we have a lot to be thankful from Peter. Working for The Kings Ferry was more than just a business it was a second family and I’m grateful to have had the privilege to work there. Thoughts to yourself, family, friends and everyone who had the honour to work with for Peter.’